LONG ARM OF THE LAW.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19966, 7 December 1926, Page 16

LONG ARM OF THE LAW.

ARREST .AFTER SIX YEARS. (Special to Dailt Times.) AUCKLAND, December 6. The long arm of the law stretched out far when William John Fox, aged 42, with several aliases, was arrested at Dannevirke on November 21 on a charge of stealing four bottles of whisky and £SO in notes, of a total value of £52 10s, the property of Paterson and Robertson, merchants, on May 6. 1920. The story of the offence was told by William Stephenson Devitt, an employee of Paterson and Robertson. Ho stated that in May 5. 1920, in the course of his duties he went to the s.s. Waipu, which was lying at the Northern Company’s wharf, and made inquiries for the master of the vessel. He saw the accused, who was a steward on the vessel, and who at that time was known as Fraser. Witness was informed by the accused that the captain would not be on board until later that evening. The accused asked witness whether there was anything ho could do. Witness told him he had a parcel containing money and four bottles of whisky which was to be takpn to the Great Barrier to be delivered to a man named Muir, who had arranged to call for it on the Waipu’s arrival there. The accused said ho would take the parcel and agreed to deliver it. The parcel was handed to him, witness obtaining a receipt for it. The following day it came to witness’s knowledge that the parcel had not been delivered. Inquiries were made for the accused, and in consequence of not being able to ti'ace the parcel the matter was reported to Detective Robertson. Only one bottle of whisky had been recovered. Detective Robertson said that on his arrest at Dannevirke on November 21, Fox made a statement which he signed, admitting the offence. Witness made a search of accused’s cabin on May 7, 1920, and found one bottle of whisky under his bunk. The accused left the Waipu that morning without being paid off. Fox, who pleaded guilty to the theft, was committed (or sentence at the Supremo Court.