SEQUEL TO A FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 75, 27 March 1912, Page 9

SEQUEL TO A FIRE.

EMPLOYEE CHARGED WYTH THEFT.

(By Telegraph—Own Coi respondent.)

Tuesday.

At the Magistrate's Court to-Jay, before Messrs. R. Thompson and A. 11. Dillon, J.P.s, a y.ung man of respectable appearance named Jo*. Walter McCullough was charged v ith tho theft of various articles, valu-:d at £2, the property of Messrs. Iletth and Morrison, drapers, of Whangarei. Mr. Rishworth appeared for accuse., who pleaded not guiUy.

Sergeant Moore sated that a few daya niter the fire at his employers' premiseaccused scut a panel of hair brushes and case to .Mr. Briggs' office to be kept till he called for th'-ni. Mr. Briggs' suspicion was aious'd. nnd ho informed Mr. Heath. Subsequently Sergeant Mooru nnd Mr. Heath visited accused's room, where, at the bottom of a box, they found a singlet, a piece of uinou, two brooches, a wrteii, soverign case, and v pair of militay hair brushes. Accused's explanation iras that he was looking after things ,n his employers' interest*

Messrs. Hrath mid Morrison gave evidence of id;ntiueation. They had no wish to press the charge. Rome of the unsaleable .hing3 had been given to lady assistants. Accused might not have had any criminal intent, but his actions were suspicious.

After evidence had been given accused was swo:n and stated that he had neintentioi.- of stealing. With regard to the piec; of ninon, he wished to secure it for a sneei.il customer. The -brushes had been tr.ken to save the insurance people getting them. Ho intended to return them later, so that his firm couid get a bcttc; price. His action wa_ unauthurised.

After hearing the evidence, Mr Thompson said the Court was disposed to rogar] tli<! matter in a lenient light. Accused had been very indisciect, but ho wr.s convinced he did not intend to steal tbe things when he took them. The whole caec was one of indiscretion, an. fjr that indiscretion penishment must ',c inflicted. Accused would be flnfid £2, with costs 12/, in default, 14 days' imprisonment.