CHARGE OF THEFT

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 148, 24 June 1915, Page 6

CHARGE OF THEFT

FROM HARBOUR BOARD SHEDS. The hearing of the charges of theft of goods of the value of £51 4s Bd, the property of Butterworth Bros., preferred against Charles Dempster and John Cashman (on remand), was continued in the Magistrate's Court today, befoie Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M, Mr. J. J. M'Grath appeared for Cashman and Mr. A. H. Hindmarßh for Dempster. Frederick Stubbles, assistant wharfinger in the employ of the Wellington Harbour Board, said that Cashman was storeman in charge of P shed, at the back of the Queen's Wharf. Dempster was head storeman of V shed, on the Taranaki-street Wharf. Each storeman was responsible for locking up the shed at the end of the day, when he had to leave the keys with the tolls clerk. Butterworth Bros.'s goods were in P shod on the 3rd inst. Thomas John Kaywood, tolls clerk in the employ of the Harbour Board, said that he saw the accused Cashman on the afternoon of the 3rd inst. at the tolls office at Queen's Wharf. Ha asked witness if he hod seen Dempster. Witness said "no," and just afterwards Dempster came with a motor-cycle and sidecar. Cashmau asked for the key of P store to put some oilskins away. Witness gave him the key and the two accusedswent in the direction of the store. They came back in about a quarter of an hour and Cashman returned the keyDempster remained outside with the motor-cycle. As far as he could see, both of them were sober. Constable M'Kelvie said that on tho night of 3rd June he saw the two accused in Majoribanks-street. Dempster was under the influence of drink. There had been a motor-cycle accident, and the goods produced, which had been identified as the property of Butterworth Bros., were being gathered up by Dempster, who had a wound on th© back of the head. Cashman was taken to the Hospital and Dempster to the lock-up. Constable Parkinson stated that when Dempster was asked by him what ho was doing with the property found in the sidecar he said it belonged to Cashman and they got it at the Park that afternoon. On searching Dempster he found a quantity of articles which had been since identified as the property of Butterworth Bros. The next day ho found in P shed a quantity of articles of clothing under some sacking and scrirnming. They had all been since identified as the property of Butterworth Bros. Archibald H. Munro, chief wharfinger, said he saw Dempster on the morning of the 4th inst. Dempster admitted that he got the goods from the north end of th#» Bhed. Both accused, who pleaded not guilty and reserved their defence, were committed for trial. Bail was fixed in each case at one surety of £100.