WHOLESALE THEFT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2579, 13 August 1909, Page 2

WHOLESALE THEFT.

—.— ■-■ - EXTRAORDINARY CASES IN WELLINGTON. m S (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 12. In the Magistrate’s Upurt, yesterday, Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., heard three eases of wholesale thel't from warehouses, in which four men were implicated. "One man, Noman, was concerned in all three cases. He is a middle-aged man and married. Oi the < other three Wilson is a mere youth; Kruse is a man of 56 years of age, who lias been! in New Zealand for many - years, and who has hitherto borne afi unblemished 'reputation, and Howard is a young man. The accused, Nomad, is an expressman, the other three having been employed as storemen by the firms from whom the . goods were stolen. •' The first charge was taken against John Philpotfc Wilson and 'William James Neman,, alleged theft of £SO Is lOd worth of medicinal and toilet goods, the property of Young’s Chemical Company. , Sergeant Mathicson said after he had arrested Noman, he made a search in the accused’s house, and found the stolen goods in a bedroom. Noman said he wished to make a full confession and signed a statement. This statement was to the effect that Noman had been getting goods from "Wilson for some time. It stated that during a rnco week Wilson sold goods to Noman for small sums. Noman then ■lent Wilson several sums of money, and in return for each loan Wilson gave him goods. Noman said ho was sort and easily led, and that was how he had got into trouble. The witness then'arrested the accused Wilson, who also made a statement. Wilson said he borrowed £2 10s from/ Neman, nvho kept worrying him, for the money, which ho was. not in a position to pay. Noman therefore suggested that lie should get some pills, and this he did. After this lie stole more goods, and gave them to Noman in return for money lent by the latter. When Wilson was arrested ho said “It’s a good .job; my life has been a hell since I got into Noman’s clutches.” The thefts were carried out from March to August. The accused Nonian pleaded not guilty. Ho said lie. was guilty of receiving. but not guilty of theft. Mr. Wilford asked his Worship not-to take a plea from Wilson, as his case might come within the provisions of section 44 of the Crimes Act, which dealt with crimes committed under compulsion. If this defence were found to be not available, counsel would advise the accused to plead guilty. Wilson was allowed bail as formerly. The next case taken was that of Charles Kruse and William James ( Neman, charged with theft of .sheet iron’, lead nails, etc., valued at £9 3.p the property of the Stewart Timber, Glass, and Hardware Company. Kruse was the company’s head storeman. A statement by Kruse was ijut in to the effect that he had given Noman certain goods,, but Noman had promised to pay for them. He added that lie had not put the goods through the books. He had not had a pen in- from Noman, who, he said, had told a pack of lies. Noman had made a statement intimating his intention to plead guilty. Both the accused were committed for trial. , -/ • .. William James Howard and William James Neman were charged with theft of a quantity of nails and. sheet iron to the value of £5 15s, the property of : the Stewart Timber, Glass, and Hardware Company. Howard elected to go before a jury, but Noman elected to be dealt with summarily, and pleaded guilty. The case was not concluded, 1 and was adjourned for further hearing 1 until to-day. Hamilton Graham was charged with theft of 24 sheets of corrugated iron, the propertv of Martin Kennedy. The evidence called cast no reflection on. the accused, who was accordingly discharged. The case was brought as the result of a statement by Noman. * , 1 < 1