RECENT TEA THEFTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16372, 28 October 1916, Page 5

RECENT TEA THEFTS.

GROCER IN COURT. CHARGE OF RECEIVING. i COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. Another charge in connection with the recent disappearance of quantities of. tea from Messrs. L. D. Nathan and Co.'s warehouse was preferred at the Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., against Edmund Thompson, carrying on business as a grocer in Khyber Pass (Mr. R. W. McConnell). The accused, who has been committed to the Supreme Court for trial on a prior charge of receiving tea knowing it to have been stolon, was charged that about March 15, 1916, at Auckland, he received 18 half-cheste of tea, valued at £59 16s 3d, the property of L. D. Nathan and Co., Ltd., knowing them to have been dishonestly obtained. William W. Warnock gave evidence that ho visited the accused's shop in company with Detective-Sergeant Hollia and Air. Buckley. He saw in a small shed three hall-chests of bulk tea, and said to accused: " iou know full well the bulk tea is the property of my firm." Accused first denied this, but admitted afterwards that the three half-chests formed part of a lot from Nathan's brought by Ren wick. Corroborative evidence was given by Francis David Buckley, the manager of L. D. Nathan's tea department, and Detec-tive-Sergeant Hollis. The latter stated that the accused had had many opportunities of telling the police that the tea had been stolen, but had not referred to the tea mentioned in this charge when the other thefts of tea were being investigated. Arrangements for Disposal. Arthur Edward Bray, formerly employed as foreman in the tea department of L. D. Nathan and Co., and now serving a sentence for theft of tea from that firm, said that on March 15 he took from the firm's warehouse about 18 half-chests of tea. lie arranged with William Webb for its sale, and with Renwick for its cartage. Renwick took it away about 8 a.m. The half-chests in Court looked similar to those stolen by him. Ho had no authority from his employers to take these 18 half-chests of tea. George Harold Renwick, a carter at present serving a sentence for receiving stolon goods, said that about March 15 last, he was engaged by Bray to cart 17 or 18 half-chests of tea from Nathan's. He took the tea to No. 52, Edendale Road, Mount Eden, whore Webb was living. A few days later he called again, and at Webb's instructions he moved the tea to Thompson Bros.' store, in Khyber Pass Road. Cross-examined by Mr. McConnell, witness said that to the best of his recollection all the eases lie carted on that occasion were half-chests. Alleged Purchase of Tea. William James Webb, a labourer, said that about March 10 he visited Thompson's store at Khyber Pass to see the accused about buying some tea. He asked the- accused if he could do with a quantity of tea. Accused wanted to know what the quality of the tea was. Witness replied that it was good quality bulk tea, from L. D. Nathan and Company. Accused asked him to send it along, which he did several days later. The tea was carted by Renwick, being first brought to witness's place by Renwick and unloaded there, this arrangement being made with Bray. The tea was contained in 18 half chests, similar to the eases in the Court, Later he looked at the tea with the accused, who remarked that it was not of good quality, and not worth the price Bray asked for it—about Is per lb. He said, after a calculation, that it was not worth more than £28. Witness went into accused's office and received from him a cheque for this amount, which he cashed a few days later. He did not see accused again until after Ren k and Bray were arrested, when lie met the accused by appointment at Khyber Pass Bridge. Accused referred to the charges against Renwick and Bray, and said he would give £1 per week to Bray or Renwick if either would take his fair share of the blame, and also give them a job in his store when they left prison. Evidence was also given by Clarence Cecil Spedding, manager of the National Bank c/f New Zealand in Symonds Street, and by Detective Powell. The accused pleaded not guilty. Ho reserved his defence, and was committed to tho Supreme Court for trial, bail being allowed in one surety of £300.