MISSING PETROL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10541, 18 March 1920, Page 5

MISSING PETROL

THREE. MENXHAKGED PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.: INVEROABGIDL, March 17. Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., was occupied the greater iJar>ir of the day with the bearing of a number of charfies of theft of pertrol. William" (JosephLyons, William Holland, and "William Edward Duthie were charged with, on, or about February 19th stealing 75 cases of motor spirit valued at £lOl ss, the property-of-'JY-G.-Ward and Co. Lyons and--"Holland'"were -charged with on the same date' breaking and entering the premises of " Briscoe and Co. and stealing therefrom 75 cases of motor spirit valued at £lOl ss, the property of J. G. Ward and fV. and another. Duthie'-was charged - with stealing on February 12th '52 cates of motor s'pirit, the "property of J; G. Ward and Co. Duthie was further charged with receiving 75 rases knowing them to lav, dishonestly obtained and with receiving.. 62 cases under similar circumstances. The evidence, showed .that. Ward end Co. discovered a total shortage of 440 cases in, a portion of a "Shipment of 5500 cases stored in Briscoe's warehouse,- of which they had the vse. The police stated that i 27 cases iiad leen traced and 58 recovered. The evidence showed that the petrol had been carted away from ..tilt store, jnwW.hich/ Holland was employed.,, .'Several-taxi. proprietors gave evidence as to purchasing large quantities of .petrol from Lyons and Duthie. '.''•■'•

Accused reserved their defence and were committed, ~for- .trial ...on. all charges.