THEFT OF TIMBER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 208, 31 August 1894, Page 3

THEFT OF TIMBER.

FOURTEEN" DAYS' IMPRISONMENT.

The Kauri Timber Company are great sufferers by petty theft, and an employee has to be kept on the premises specially to detect thieving.

This morning at the Police Court, the Company brought two persons before the Court, Mr R. S. Bush being on the bench.

Arbhur Belsham (a youbh) and William James Moore (a middle-aged man) were charged that on the 30th of August they did steal two pieces of blue-gum timber, of the value of 20s, the property of the Kauri Timber Company. Belsham pleaded nob guilby. Moore pleaded guilty. Ho said Belsham had nothing to do with the matter. A boy named John McGregor deposed thab he saw Belsham take two pieces of timber from the back of the mill and carry it to the front. Moore pub it on his cart and took ib away.

Jas. W. Redman, an employee ab the mill, said he overtook Moore in Albertstreet, and charged him with the thefb, which he at first denied. Afterwards he said he got the timber from the Kauri Timber Company. Kvidonoo wao also given by Wo. Lipacombe, Tbos. H. White, manager of the Timber Company, and Constable Finnerby. The last-named said Moore offered a lot of resistance when he wenb to arresb him.

Bolsham then stated thab he was employed by Moore. He did nob know the wood was stolen.

Belsham was discharged, the Magistrate remarking that he had a narrow escape of being sent to gaol. Mr Bush said he was nob prepared to take a lenienb view of the case against Moore, and he reprimanded him for putting boys in a position to do wrong. He was an older man and ought to know better. Moore was then ordered to be imprisoned for 14 days.