CAUGHT IN A COAL YARD.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 210, 6 September 1927, Page 8

CAUGHT IN A COAL YARD.

TAXAPUNA HAN ARRESTED.

ADMITTED TO PROBATION.

For some time past sacks of coal, coke and firewood have mysteriously disappeared from the yard of W. and H. Smale, Takapuna. Since last Friday night Constable Wood has been hiding in the office until the early hours of the morning, in an endeavour tto catch the thief. At half-past five this morning, just as he was about to leave the yard, a motor truck stopped outside the yard. A man entered and carried a bag of coal on to his truck. While returning to the yard for another sack, he was accosted by the constable and arrested. The culprit was Patrick Thomas Syron, who afterwards admitted that on five occasions since August 21 he had stolen four eacks of coal, a bag of coke and three of firewood, of a total value of £2 18/. THs morning Syron came before Mr. F. K. Hunt at the Police Court, when L* admitted all the five charges. Suit-Inspector Lewln stated that njtea bad never been in trouble prev'lovxlr. He hired a truck and had ttoten the <w«d, gelling some of it for * living. His wife was at present ill, *nd laad oo em to look after her at home. Mr. Hunt; Just becau&t hl» wife is ■iek, I cupper I've got to tet thi» man off then "Ob, no, yonr Worship, I d© not mtg' gest that afc «\\. Ttem ihelU have *«en going on for www Htm/ , The Probation Oflter, Mf. \V. ,T, Campbell, suggested that ttyrm might be placed on probation stn4 ordered U> make restitution.

Mr. Hunt: Do yon think lie v/UI tnafe* good if given a chance V "Y«& ( | Accused was admitted to pr©Wfo« tor twelve months, and ordered to nmkc reetitation of £1 5/9. Tho ina«Utrttip told him Ibat this was his last chance,