TRICKS OF THE TRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 230, 28 September 1929, Page 12

TRICKS OF THE TRADE.

MISSING SACK OF POTATOES. GREENGROCER FINED. "This is one of the tricks of the trade," said Sub-Inspector McCarthy in the Police Court this morning, in. describing the theft of a sack of potatoes by a greengrocer. William pitman, alias James Button, aged 42 (Mr. Singer), pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempting to steal a sack of potatoes, valued at 16/, the property of Perkins and Company. ■ The sub-inspector said that Pitman had bought some goods from Perkins and Co. down at the city markets. Among the goods, he had bought a sack of potatoes, and was seen to take them away. Shortly afterwards he was seen taking another sack. Asked what he was doing, he said he had lost the first sack, but a search was made and the sack was found outside. He had no right to take the second sack without authority. Pitman, in the witness box, said that when the first sa-ck. was mislaid he thought' he was entitled to weigh in with the second sack. There had been no intent to steal the sack, and when the suggestion was made that the police should be informed, he said, "Certainly, bv all means get them." "Mr. F. K. Hunt. 5.M.,. agreed with the sub-inspector that it was "one of the tricks of the trade," and fined Pitman £2 and costs.