DARWIN. February 23. - Two Melbourne businessmen were charged in the Police Court today with having stolen 6446 wireless valves, valued at £4295, from the Commonwealth at Darwin about October 17 last. Both were extradited from Melbourne, following disposal sales.
They are: Donald Speed, 37, of Toorak, managing director of Autoterms Ltd., Melbourne, and Allen Leslie Penrose, of Caulfield, accountant.
The Crown alleged the two men followed a checking clerk around and, after the clerk had checked them off, stole the wireless valves, placed them in lots they had purchased, and then had an R.A.A.F. working party carry the goods away.
Allan Elliott Yelland, a member of the auctioneering firm which conducted the sale, said there had been some confusion at the sale.
Under cross-examination, Yelland said that on sale days up to 100 buyers were present, and three lorries and loading parties were allowed in at a time.
Yelland said he did not know till after the sale that it had been arranged between Speed and the Waltham Trading Company that the Waltham Trading Company should buy wireless valves on Speed's behalf. It had been the practice to knock down to Speed at minimum price any goods for which there was no bid. Speed was known as a very big buyer.
The case was adjourned to tomorrow.
Source: Trove Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1885 - 1954) Tuesday 24 February 1948 Page 1