PILFERING OF CARGO.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1681, 18 May 1904, Page 60

PILFERING OF CARGO.

DANGER OF GIVING EVIDENCE, AUCKLAND, May 13. At the Supreme Court to-day a man named Henry Boreham was charged with stealing a cake-basket and pie-dish from the cargo of tbe Waikare, and with receiving thß same knowing the articles to have been stolen. Prisoner pleaded not guilty to tbe first count, and guilty to the second. The Crown Prosecutor said he was satisfied from inquiries made that prisoner was not a thief, and lie was prepared to accept his pleas. No evidence was offered on the first count, and prisoner was formally acquitted. Incidentally, the Crown Prosecutor said the Union Company had lost £SOO during the last twelve months through pilfering. Mr Martin, who appeared for accused, said prisoner was a lumper on the wharf, and while working in the lower hold of the Waikare, a man above him called out to him, f - r Here, are you a married man ?” and passed him down a parcel containing the two articles in question. Though he must have known the goods were stolen, he took them home and kept them. His Honor inquired if prisoner had assisted justice by giving the name of the person who gave him the goods. Mr Martin said that prisoner did not know the man. Detective Maddern said that prisoner had told him that he would not give anyone away. Prisoner, as a matter of fact, dared not give the name of the thief. If he did his life would not be worth threepence. Prisoner was remanded for a week in order that he might have an opportunity of assisting the police to trace the thief, and to enable his Honor to consider whether he would admit prisoner to probation.