WOMAN FINED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 193, 16 August 1941, Page 11

WOMAN FINED

ELECTRICITY THEFT

METER TAMPERED WITH

(0^) NAPIER, this day. A method of tampering with an electricity meter, so ingenious vet so simple that if disclosed it might involve the power authorities in substantial loss, was brought before the notice of the Magistrate's Court in Napier yesterday. involvlt W a n f the fac * that the method be eisifv r,lrf opera which c o"W De easily performed by anvone who iSip£M} r t J i. M! "«". S.M asked inl Se S e v n idenc o e dlSClOSe " in ve » on '

The device was described in a case of Tar C a h d a ,? iarriecl ?" oman ' Una S C S theft Wa f, charged with the theft of more than 1100 units of electricity valued at £5 15/6 from Boar" S Bay Electric Po ™ th?t G th^p e K - lills told the Court that the Power Board, after confiden electrTe ?v^ 0n at the "■"? eicctucity was going on in Seai'« house installed a special meter ou t" wV^TSf 10 a c heck e When pe?ed e with T\ tf tavS « teenTamadnvfttSiM?h« bU V he accuse d franklv how she hart °, flFence - and described iM«ihi ß t n ad don ? !t - u was not possible to ascerta n how much had been stolen altogether " wa« r «,7fr3 Na ;" h ' for Seal - said she -as fhi ng ( from , an ""less and o, a f "liable to he down to sleep bne had an electric heater for 18 sleen 8 in £ e & in order to sleep in a sitting position. The Mr Tll^, had had f *» a "» druggie, said ™«'lt£n Sh > and ? eal had hidden the position from her husband. He thFo e f» ted^ probation as a Penalty, as ah?v a ,^ da , nt Publicity would probment power board's require-

The magistrate described the case as a serious matter. A person doing m£ri s * ame thing in a moderate wav might never get caught. "I have nfiK?V° gr ! nt the suppression ?hA he^ evidence - but I would suggest l £at the system used in this case should not be described, otherwise a good deal of theft might be experienced," said Mr. Miller. Had 'it been the woman's husband who was before him the penalty would have been imprisonment. He imposed a r e .i° f £1 ° ancl ordered the pavment of the cost of the electricity stolen and refused to permit suppression of the accused's name.