MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Grey River Argus, 18 May 1922, Page 7

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

BLANKETS REALISED ON. Messrs F. C. Wade and J. Steer. J.]’.s, were on the Bench yesterday morning when two trimmers un the Coolana, ArclAbald Scott :nd Albert William Winder, were charged with the theft on Tuesday last, of six blankets, valued at the propcity of the Melbourne Stcain.-diip Company. A W e.d Coast resident also appeared on the same charge. The two seamen pleaded guilty, electing to be dealt with summarily. I lie third defendant pleaded not guilty. Detective Young said the two trimmers had taken tlm blankets from tlieir quarters, carrying them off the Imai in a portmanteau. Hi the town they had imd the third defemlaul, who, upon being asked as to where the ‘‘port s contents could be disposed oi, showed (lie way to a second hand dealer s. Chi' blankets had been sold there tor L! Hi,'. Thev well- a.H plainly marked with the name of the (ompany. The local resident was no; employed on the (’oolana. Subsequently all three defendants were found in a hotel di inking t ogvther. In Ihe box the third man said be did not know what was in the portmanteau. He was employed on a sawmill at Hokitika, and came to Greymouth on Tuesday looking for work as the mill was on short time. About 11 a.m. lie met the sailors, and asked them if there was ’‘anything doing" on the Coolana. They replied there was very likely a job for him. The defend nuts promised to meet him hi the afternoon, which they did, :nd later asked him if he could show them where they could dit-roae of some goods us they were hard up. He guided them to the dealershop, but did not go in himself. Having money of his own. he did not share in the proceeds. To Detective Young: lie would sweat he did not know what goods were sold. He di-1 not go in the shop, nor did The detective stated tho men signed on at Newcastle and were always in trouble, and a source of annoyance to the officers. Articles were constantly going astray since they joined. The ('ustonis Department would probably jiroroefi against them for smuggling tiie blankets ashore. S'cott ami Winder were sentenced to 1-1 day.-.’ imprisonment, 1o l><’ jdaced a bo- r.i the ('oolana when she leaves. 'They will ha\e Io refund the value of the blankets. The charge against the third in.'iii was dismissed. lie was advised to be more careful of his associates in the future. At the third defendant ’s request, an order was marie prohibit ing his name from : ppenring in the newspapers.