AFTER SIX YEARS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19504, 7 December 1926, Page 15

AFTER SIX YEARS.

THEFT OF £SO AND WHISKY. PLEA OF GUILTY ENTERED. An offence committed over six years ago resulted in the appearance in the Police Court yesterday of William John Fox, aged 42, who was charged with stealing four bottles of whisky valued at £2 10s, and £SO in money, on May 6, 1920. William S. Devitt said he was associated with the firm of Paterson and Robertson, general merchants and indentors. On May 5, 1920, witness wlnt to the steamer Waipu at the Northern Wharf and inquired of the steward for the captain. He was .toid the captain would not be back before 10 p.m. The steward asked if there was anything he could do, and witness said he wanted a parcel, containing money and four bottles of whisky, taken to Great Barrier Island and delivered to George Muir, who would meet the steamer on arrival. Witness returned to the steamer later with a parcel containing £SO in notes and four bottles of whisky. He gave them to the steward and received a receipt. Witness knew the steward as Fraser, and the receipt was signed in this name. On tlie following day witness heard that the parcel had not been received and after making inquiries reported the matter to ] the police. So far only one bottle of f whisky had been recovered. Detective Robertson said that in con- ] sequence of a complaint he made a search of Eraser's cabin on the Waipu on May 7. He found a bottle of whisky under ' the bunk. The steward, Fraser, had " left , the ship that morning without being paid off In a dress basket beside Fraser's bunk were papers addressed William Fox. They included military . service papers. Accused was arrested in the Hawke's Bay district on November 1 21. ! Accused pleaded guilty and was com- : mitted to the Supreme Court for sentence.