TEMPTER'S VOICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 190, 14 August 1939, Page 8

TEMPTER'S VOICE.

MAN WHO LISTENED.

HOW £5 WAS STOLEN.

PRISON FOR "MEAN THEFT."

A young Englishman, who, it was said, could not read or write, except his own signature, and who was taken off sustenance because he would not accept a job, was sent to prison by Mr. J. Morling, S.M., in the Police Court today on a charge of stealing a postal packet containing ■£."> belonging to the I 'ostmaster-General on April 12.

The accused, James Edward Frederick Harris (22), was represented bv Mr. Aekins. Harris pleaded guilty. According to a statement produced bv Detective-Sergeant Aplin, who interviewed Harris on August 12. Harris said lie was Single and arrived in Xew Zealand from England as a member of the crew of the Port Darwin on February 2, 1938. He missed his ship and had.been in Xew Zealand ever since. Harris said he could not read or write, but he could write his signature. He was expecting a letter from his mother in England last April and called at the chief "post office, where he was told there was a registered letter for "J. Harris." After answering the usual question as to where he expected the letter from, he said "England," and was handed the letter. Another man whom he only knew as '"Scottie" was with him. Outside the post office "Scottie" read the letter to him. It was then that he realised the letter and the New Zealand banknote for £5 which it contained was not for him. He wanted to take it back to tile clerk, but "Scottie" told him not to and suggested that they should go and have a drink. In a hotel Ih> cashed the £"> note and gave "Scottie" of the money. The letter was destroyed. "Scottie" was at pre.-.-ut on to a steamer. I his man has been sponging on charitable institutions since he has been Here and he won't work," said Detec-tive-Sergeant Nalder, who prosecuted. "He deserted his ship two years ago and every time a position is available on another ship he is missing." Tho fact that there had been 110 personation by Harris was stressed bv Mr. Aekins. Unfortunately Harris, when he found the letter was not for him, listened to the voice of the tempter, "Scottie" and did not return the letter as he at first thought of doing. "I know he has not got the best ol records and that he was taken off sustenance because he wouldn't take a job, but perhaps your Worship could give' him another opportunity. After alf he has had a poor education having only passed through Standard I," counsel said. "He has been in custody since August 7, and has been promised a job 011 a Home ship in a couple of weeks." The case was not one for leniency, remarked Mr. Morling. "It was a verv mean type of theft. He did not care what happened to the letter or the £5 sent to the rightful person who failed to receive it," the magistrate said. "He had better get some work—when he comes out of prison. He will be sentenced to one month's imprisonment."