STOLEN BLANKETS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14986, 13 August 1919, Page 5

STOLEN BLANKETS.

CHARGE AGAINST A STEWARD

(Per Press Association.) : WANGANUI, last night. Another case arising out of the recent visit of the Home steamer Armagh to Wanganui roadstead was heard at the Magistrate's Court to-day, when Joseph George Abbott, a steward on that steamer, was charged with stealing 21 blankets, the property of the Imperial Government. . . .

" The police stated that the lighter Shamrock tendered the Armagh m the roadstead, her . crew" including. James Irvine (master), Mont Waller (engineer), Placed Firmin (greaser)', and Wbller Wright. Blankets were, brought ashore, and subsequently the police recovered 11 blankets from Waller, 10 from Firmin. and three from Irvine.

•)Vbller, giving evidence, said he went oil. the Armagh and was approached by the accused, -who offered to sell 15 or 16 blankets for £3. Witness accepted the offer . and they, were subsequently] delivered on. the lighter. '• • ■ Firmin said he saw a man. throw four, sacks of blankets over the side of the Awriagh. - : : Witness bought 10 for 30s FrohT\W6ller, -.•

/HugK; McDermott, .acting-mate "of .-the lighter, said he saw accused throw two sacks over the side. •. ' Irvine, the master of the lighter, said that: Firmin passed' the blankets' down into the cabin and witness helped to stow them away. . •

Wilfred James, purser oft the Armagh, said the vessel had been engaged as a troopship, and at Sydney he took over and tallied 7000 blankets. They were yal lied >by the Imperial Government at 15s each. Accused bore a good character.

Accused pleaded not guilty, , and was committed for trial at the Supreme Court.