CARGO-PILLAGING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7850, 12 July 1911, Page 1

CARGO-PILLAGING

SENSATIONAL' ALLEGATIONS VTEIi-KXOWX CETCKETE& TJXDEU AKREST. FREES ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, July 11. Some sensational revelations in con* nection with cargo pillaging and systematic thieving in bulk from tho wharf (sheds at Auckland aro expected. On all (sides it is reported by representatives of shipping firms tluit the losses through fcither pillaging or disappearance of •goods have been heavily on the increase during tho last twelve montlis, and particularly for scan© six months past the ■shipping companies who havo to bear ;th© total loss have had tho matter tm* : der consideration for somo time; but have been unable to solve the difficulty of frustrating ill© successful operations (of what appeared to bo an' organised (system of • thieving from tho wharf Ishcds. • ’ Lately an acute position developed* and it was reported a few days ago that goods in bulk to the value of between ASOO and =££Co had disappeared from tho mow goods shed. The cargo lost includes •cigars, tobacco, and cigarettes, generaldrapery, and boots. In one instance a package of no less than 10,000 Havana ■cigaxe vanished and could not bo traced. Three cases of drapery, valued at =£lßo, consigned to a local firm, could not be found after being landed from tho vessel, and apparently deposited in tho shed. A case of mackintoshes was lost in the same way, and, in other cases, packages had boon -broached and as many, as forty-eight pains y6f boot© and twenty-* four overcoats pilfered. Witli such serious losses occurring it ♦was considered that the time had arIrivcd to do something of a definite 'clio.Tacbcr to detect the offenders if possible and discover in what way tho goods were being spirited away. It being ajv. ‘parent that, without somo system and the assistance of several persons, such extensive thieving and safe removal of th© goods ©ouid not l>e effected Careful inquiries were made, aud, as a result, a warrant was issiicd for the arrest of (Alfred Elmcst Hodden, tho well-known,' cricketer, who is a tally clerk on the wharf, usually employed by Messrs Hud*-dart-Parker and Co. It was alleged that Hadden was implicated in tli© theft of a case containing clothing valued at £25 belonging to Messrs Hallcmstein Bros. ,from the Queen street wharf shed on July 3rd. Hadden was to-day arrested •at Devonpoit on Hie charge, aud will bo brought before the Court to-morrow morning. •