TWO OFFICERS ON SHIP SENT TO GAOL FOR THEFT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22655, 4 June 1948, Page 6

TWO OFFICERS ON SHIP SENT TO GAOL FOR THEFT

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 3 A senior officer on the ship Millhill, Peter McAlister the ship’s carpenter, Sydney Lewis, and the ship s radio officer, Robert Cochrane, were each charged ir the Police Court today with the theft of bottles of brandy, part of the cargo the Millhill was discharging at Wellington. Cocnrane pleaded guilty to two charges involving the theft ot a dozen bottles of brandy, valued at £9, and three bottles of cherrv brandy, valued at £2 ss. He was sentenced to one month's imprisonment. The two other accused —McAlister admitted the theft ot one bottle and Lewis that of three bottles —were each sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment.

“This is a sorry business," said Mr. H. J Thompson, S.M., in imposing the sentences. "It seems a pity that the career of a responsible ship’s officer should be interfered with just uecause of a bottle of brandy Tht oidir.ary watersider has to take tht penalty when he takes even a pound of butter. These men will have to be punished ’’ In the event of the ship sailing before the expiration of then sentences the magistrate ordered that the men should be placed aboard their ship.