MISSING PIGS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25129, 16 February 1945, Page 7

MISSING PIGS

CARCASES FROM WORKS TWO BUTCHERS ON TRIAL Two butchers stood trial before Mr Justice Callan and a jury yesterday on charges arising from the alleged theft of a. number of pigs from the Southdown works of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Co.. Ltd, George Gill, aged 31 (Mr. Robinson), was charged with the theft on November 21 last of 34 baconer pigs, valued at £lB9 8s lid, the property of the Hydra Bacon and Meat Co., Ltd., and alternatively with receiving stolen goods. . Victor Kennedy Simpson, aged 30 (Mr Henry), was charged with receiving the 34 pigs. Mr Cleal, who represented the Crown, said that Simpson had a pork butcher's shop in Karangahape Road and that Gill had previous to November 21 been a driver in the employ of Hygienic Meat Distributors, Ltd. On November 21 two detectives visited Simpson's shop and in the factory below they saw 34 baconer pig carcases. The carcases had apparently recently come from freezing chambers and all bore the brand of the Southdown works.

Interviewed by Police Simpson was interviewed by the police. Air Cleal continued, and replied: "I have had a few close shaves, but this is one time you have got me stumped." Simpson said he arrived at the shop at 9 a.m. in response to an employee's telephone message that a lot of pigs had been left there. Simpson told the detectives that, when he saw the pigs, he knew they were "hot" and it worried him. lie said he did not know who had left them, but it must have been someone who had a key to the shop. Evidence would be given, said Mr Cleal, that a Hygienic Distributors van had been at the shop on that morning and that Gill was one of the men with it. \yiien seen by the police, Gill said he knew nothing about any pigs delivered to Simpson and denied using any of the Hygienic company's vans. Joseph H. J. Hidley, works manager at the Southdown works, said his firm killed and stored pigs for the Hvdra Bacon Co. The works records showed that on November 21 there should have been 1116 pigs in store for the company. A check on November 25 showed there were 66 pigs missing. Witness had examined the 34, pigs and found they were some of the missing pigs. He described the hranding system used at the works. It would be possible for anyone to take pigs from the freezing chambers if working in collusion with someone at the works. Procedure at the Works

To Mr Robinson, witness said that delivery of carcases was taken from midnight onward. Hydra pigs were supposed to be loaded on that company's vans and the moment anyone saw pigs being put in another van "the game would be up." The works' stores were very large, with two dozen doors, and it would be difficult for the workmen to see everything that went out. Frank Briess said he had a butchery business and knew Gill. On that particular day in November witness called at Simpson's shop and saw a Hygienic company van outside the back entrance. Ho saw two men in the van, one being Bert Gill. "I knew the two Gill brothers, hut at that time I was not sure which was which," said witness. He saw Simpson in the factory. There were pig carcases all over the place and they bore the Southdown stamp. Maurice Martin MacQuillan, an employee at Simpson's factory, said he had been in the curing room that morning and did not see any pigs carried in. Lawford Wilson Barraclough said he was in charge of the factory at that time. When Ift? helped Briess to bring in some meat he saw another van with pigs in it. One man carried in about 33 carcases. George Gill was not that man and he had not carried in any pigs. When witness saw the number being delivered he rang up Simpson, who arrived later, between 10 and 11 a.m. Witness could not remember seeing the accused Gill there, but was certain he had not carried in any pigs. The Hearing Adjourned

To Mr Henry, witness said that Simpson had not asked who brought the pigs. The man who brought them was not there when Simpson arrived. Witness said he saw Bert Grill there some time in the morning. He was the driver of one of the Hygienic trucks. Witness thought he arrived in the truck, but lie did not see it. Kenneth Leo Kane said he was working at Simpson's that morning. He saw two men in a grey van. One he did not know was dressed in khaki trousers and shirt. The other was one of the Gills, but he could not say which one. The man in khaki carried in the pigs. Witness could not say where he brought them from. He thought he saw the accused Gill in the factory that morning talking to Barraclough. Bert Gill was also there, but witness did not see him bring anything in. To Mr Robinson, witness gaid it was possible that he had made a mistake when he said he saw George Gill there on that particular day. To the Court, witness said he thought both Gills were there, hut he only knew George slightly and he was not quite sure of his being there. <, The hearing was adjourned until this morning.

THE NGAWIIA SPRINGS ROTORUA OFFICER'S REPORT In a recent issue of the HfcitALD a short article appeared indicating that a report on the Ngnwha mineral springs prepared by T)r Blair, acting-Govern-ment balneologist at Rotorua, at the request of the Department of Industries and Commerce, had been received by the Kaikohe Chamber of Commerce, and in referring to this the article erroneously stated that the report goes into great detail on the mineral content of the different baths at Ngawha. From a perusal of I)r Blair's report it is clear that a full analysis of the various baths is not available, but Dr Blair analysed certain springs and concluded that the baths are filled with sub-soil water which has been heated and charged with carbon dioxide and to a lesser extent with hydrogen sulphide and menthane by hot gases ascending from a deep source. Dr Blair's report points out that these springs serve a population which is steadily growing in the northern part of the North Auckland peninsula, and that the waters have had for many years past a high reputation for the treatment of al! rheumatic disorders and for certain chronic skin conditions.

DENIAL OF THEFT A charge of stenling a quantity of goods valued at £52 from a house in Remuera between January 5 and January 21 was preferred against Clarence Albert Butterfiekl, aged 42, steward, before Messrs H. Trevelyan King and J. P. Macdonald, J.P.'s, yesterday. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial.