WHISKY DISAPPEARS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19720, 20 August 1927, Page 14

WHISKY DISAPPEARS.

LOST FROM GOODS SHED. HOLE CUT IN WOODWORK. MAN COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NEW PLYMOUTH. Friday A charge of stealing eight cases of whisky, valued at £49, the property of the Railway Department, from the railway goods sheds at New Plymouth, was preferred against Horace Alfred Tweedale (Mr. J. J. Goldstino), aged 21 years, in the Magistrate's Court to-day before .Sir. Pw W, Tate, S.M. Accused, who was arrested at Auckland recently, pleaded not guilty, and reserved his defence. He was committed to the November session of the Supreme Court for trial. Evidence for tho prosecution disclosed that a tally of the whisky in bond was made on April 22, and disclosed a shortage of 16 cases. It was found that eight were short from a ship, leaving a similar number unaccounted for. There were 238 cases in the bond, which was protected by a grid of wooden battens. When some tarpaulins were removed the following morning it was discovered that two battens had been cut 2ft. from the floor, and then replaced in position. With these removed there was a hole 2ft. by Ift., which would permit the entry of a man and the removal of the cases. Further investigation revealed that another hole had been burrowed under the goods shed from the sea side, and filled in again with shingle and shavings. Accused had been previously employed casually in the shed, and on April 21 had been seen by the goods foreman to walkthrough the place. Details of accused's movements were related by Robert Stott, a railway employee, with whom Tweedale had lived. The witness said accused had the use of a car belonging to Mrs. Ina Wills, and sold ladies' drapery. Walter Guard Watson, a billiard room proprietor, of Raetihi, gave evidence that Tweedale visited Raetihi on April 24. Later on accused wrote to him and asked witness to say that he had not seen him in Raetihi if asked. Detective Moon, of Auckland, said ho saw accused on the Maheno on August 5 as it was about to leave for Sydney. He told him there was a warrant out for his arrest. Accused told him he was going to Sydney and witness recovered his passage money. Accused said he had been staying at the same place as Mrs. Ina Wills in Auckland. Witness knew the car in the case, as it had recently been taken by the Auckland police. In applying for bail, Mr. Goldstine said accused had a perfect answer for the .charge, but had no relatives to provide surety.

Bail was fixed at one surety, £IOO, or two of £SO.