CHARGES OF THEFT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20365, 24 July 1934, Page 7

CHARGES OF THEFT.

Cartage of Produce From

Farm.

Two charges of theft arising out of the cartage of farm produce from Marshland to the Papanui railway station were made against George Sutherland Meredith, aged 53, before Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., in the Police Court today. Meredith was charged with, about June 20, stealing four sacks of carrots, valued at 16s, the property of Frederick Arps, and also with stealing eight sacks of onions, valued at £1 J2s.

Mr Gee appeared for Meredith, who pleaded not guilty. Detective-Sergeant Holmes said that Meredith was engaged to cart produce from Mr Arps's farm at Marshland to the Papanui railway station. Suspicions were aroused that the full number of bags of vegetables loaded at the farm was not trucked at the railway station. A watch was kept, as a result of which the charges were brought. Coxnplainant’n Evidence. Frederick Arps, a market gardener, of Marshland, said an arrangement had been made that accused should do his carting to the Papanui railway station. “ No, sir, it would be more than my life was worth,” declared witness, when asked whether there was any arrangement in which an officer at the Papnnui railway station was implicated that Meredith should take goods in payment for cartage, after the consignment had been over the weighbridge. Witness referred to a discrepancy be-’ tween a consignment as loaded at the farm and as trucked at the station.

Further evidence was given in support of the charge, the last witness lor the prosecution being Acting-Detective Mason, who detailed a visit to the Papanui railway station and interviews with accused at his premises. “ Market Gardens,” Oxford Terrace. Accused said he had taken onions as he had ordered a ton from Mr Arps and w?s taking delivery. Accused also tQld witness'that there was an arrangement between himself. Mr Arps and Mr Drury, of the Papanui weighbridge, that he should take goods to pay for his cartage after they had been weighed. Witness read a statement by accused alleging that he had given credit notes for ayiy vegetables taken. Mr Gee said that the matter was largely one of accounts between Meredith and Arps. The Magistrate said the crux of the case was whether or not Meredith was entitled to withhold the bags. The Magistrate said although there were grave suspicions in connection with the case he had to be satisfied beyond doubt that an offence had been committed. It seemed as if there was little. excuse for Meredith taking the produce after it had been weighed at the railway. However, he would receive the benefit of the doubt. The case would be dismissed. I