STOKER ACQUITTED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20479, 3 February 1930, Page 12

STOKER ACQUITTED.

ALLEGED THEFT OF WATCH.

INCIDENT ON QUEEN'S WHARF

A charge of stealing a watch, valued at 25s was preferred against Frederick Webster, a stoker on H.M.S. Philomel, in the Polico Court on Saturday, before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M.

William Denham, a gatekeeper employed by tho Auckland Harbour Board, said that early on Saturday morning he had occasion to leave his ollice on Queen's Wharf for a few minutes. When ho went back accused asked him the time, and also when the next boat left. Ho then found that his watch was missing, although it had been hanging within view from the door just before ho left tho ofiice. Ho immediately accused WebsLer of stealing tho watch. Accused was searched at tho polico station without success, and later tho watch was discovered between two boxes near tho ofiice. Accused said that ho did noL enter the office. Ho merely wanted to know the time, and for that reason asked Mr. Denham.

Sub-Inspector McCarthy said that there did not seem to bo a reason for asking tho time, as tho ferry building clock was lighted all night. Questioned by tho magistrate, accused said that ho had been to a, party. Although ho had been drinking, lie know what he was doing. "Thero is a certain amount of suspicion attached to accused's actions, but I am not prepared to convict him of theft." said the magistrate, in dismissing tho case. "Although accused was seen walking from the offico it is peculiar, if lie took the watch, that he should have directed Mr. Denham's attention to tho loss of it."