A SINGULAR PING CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9394, 28 December 1893, Page 6

A SINGULAR PING CASE.

AN ENGINEER CHARGE!) WITH THEFT. A shipping case of considerable importance :ame before the Ouehunga Police Court yesterday afternoon. Mr. K. S. Bush, R.M., and Mr. G. J. Jackson, J.P.. were an the Bench. Richard Thomas Saunders, second engineer of the s.s. Gairloch, was charged with stealing two florins from Charles Wigley, steward of the same vessel, on the -3rd November last. Mr. S. Hesketa appeared for .the prosecution, and Mr. Thomas Cotter for the defence. Constable Tapp deposed that on the 2oth Jiovember last he visited the steamer Gairloch, and upon information received he arrested the accused en the present charge. He told him the nature of the charge, »nd accused replied, " I'm innocent; I know nothing about it." After going below witness searched him, and found 20s 6d. This sum was shown to the prosecutor, Mr. Wigley, who said none of that money belonged to him. Witness continuing the search, found a number of other articles and a skeleton key, produced. Witness then went to the pantry, and fitted the skeleton key to the lock of the steward's drawer, which it locked and unlocked with ease. He tried other drawers, amongst the number being one of the lockers in the saloon, which it also fitted. In the accused's room there were lour locks, and the key would not open any of them. To Mr. Cotter: Made a careful search of all the accused's erfecls, and no effort was made to place any obstruction in his way. Mr. Wigley looked carefully, to see if any of the coins were marked, and then said none belonged to him. Did not remember seeing the bank book produced, which showed the accused to have a bank balance of £02.

Charles Foster Wigley, steward of the a.s. Gairloch, deposed that he had been losing money for some time. He determined to keep watch, and on November '23 he gave a man named Green a passage to New Plymouth, to assist in watching. Whilst on the journey he marked some coins, and placed them in the cash-box in the pantry. Green locked the drawer, and gave him the key. Witness then took up a position from where he could unobserved watch the pantry, and Green remained in the lavatory. This was only divided from the other room by a partition, in which a hole had been bored, so that Green might see better.. About half-past eleven o'clock at night, Saunders came down and proceeded to the pantry, and a few minutes after went into the lavatory, and returned almost immediately to the pantry. Shortly after this the accused went on deck, witness then went to the pantry, and opening the cashbox found two 2s pieces missing. Witness subsequently instituted proceedings. He had previously missed money from the drawer. Identified the keys produced. Ho had not missed any money since November 23.

To Mr. Cotter : He had known the man Green for many years, and about seven years back had sailed with him for three years. Mr. Hanson, the manager, concurred in his action in giving Green the passage, as he knew the object in view. Robert Green deposed that he was a steward. He corroborated the previous witness' statement.

David Hyauiason deposed he had been a locksmith all his life. The keys produced were skeleton keys, and were not usually used. He opened the drawers referred to with the keys produced. This was the case for the prosecution, and as it was after five o'clock, it was decided to adjourn so as fco enable the Court to visit the vessel, and see the pantry where the theft is alleged to have taken place. Mr. Cotter stated that he proposed calling evidence as to character, and suggested that it would be more convenient for the Resident Magistrate to hear this in Auckland. His Worship agreed to this.