PILLAGING CARGO.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3125, 23 January 1911, Page 3

PILLAGING CARGO.

A BOATSWAIN SENT TO GAOL. [.PER riIESS ASSOCIATION. I DUNEDIN. Jan. 21. Mr Widdowson, S.M., was occupied from before 11 o'clock yesterday morning till a quarter, past six yesterday evening hearing charges against Joseph Brice, Charles John Cripps (seamen) and George Stewart (boatswain) of the Rimut.ika, of pillaging cargo at Albany. It was alleged that beer to the value of £2 10s had been stolen. Evidence was given by Cecil Graham George, first officer, who said that at 9 o’clock on the morning of January 9tli he went down into the baggage room, but saw nothing suspicious. Percy Ross, assistant steward, who said lie was paid Is a month, and had formerly been a music hall artist, insurance agent, solicitor’s clerk, barrister’s clerk and judge’s clerk, disposed that about 10.30 a.m. on January 9th he sUv Stewart, who had been drinking. He saw the boatswain take a. bottle of beer from a case and hand it to the quarter-master, who put it under his 1 jumper. Afterwards he saw the boatswain and two of the crew take, a case up from the hold. Other witnesses gave evidence at great length. It was elicited that altogether 117 bottles were, missing. Brice and Cripps absolutely denied complicity. Mr Hawkins addressed l the Bench on behalf of Stewart, who lied been 23 years at sea. He was the only man at the wreck of the Maori, near Capetown, who had succeeded in piloting a boat to safety. For this lie received a gold watch, chain, and medal. Stewart in his evidence, denied all knowledge of the theft. Moreover, lie had! a bottle of whisky in his room untouched and a bottle of porter. The Magistrate said that the evidence of the identity of Brice and Cripps was not.conclusive, and they would be discharged. He ordered Stewart to pay £2 10s the value of the beer, and 7s costs, and to undergo one month’s imprisonment.