THEFT OF TEA

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 194, 18 August 1942, Page 6

THEFT OF TEA

ONE POUND PACKET WATERSIDER SENT TO GAOL A Jib packet of tea worth 1/4 took a watcrsider. Thomas Joseph Harris, aged .v.. tu the dock in the Police 11 * t till- morning. Harris, for j wiinui Mr. K. C. Aekins appeared, , dented stealing the tea. which was | OM,!pany ny Uni ° n St ° am Shi P 1 Constable G. J. G. Easteal said he ; wis on duty on a ship at 2.50 a.m. "ii August 1 1 when he saw a man piaee a packet on a ledge, on the : unliglited side of the ship. Later accused puked up the packet and put .nider his coat. When he aceosted la it is. the accused threw a packet "i lea into the water, saving, "My \M"-d is as good as yours," ' The packet. Oi tea was recovered from tii'' harbour. In evidence Harris said he had been a waterside worker for eight years He denied seeing any tea on , the ship and also that he made a icmark that his word was as good ■as that of the constable. He did not throw any tea into the harbour, and he added that the gang he was worknig with had not been handling any

I accept the evidence given by the constable, lor i have no doubt about n.said the magistrate. "There is nothing in the evidence given by the w itnes ;es called by the defence." It is Mi'M" elear that a carton of tea was hi oached at or belore the time when "'i> packet was stolen. The chief oilieer lound about IMb missing from the broken carton." In mitigation of the penaltv, Mr. Aekins pointed out that Harris had enjoyed an unblemished reputation while he had been employed on the wharves. If convicted of the offence he would lose his means of livelihood Counsel suggested that Harris' case might be adjourned for several months to give him a chance. Mr. Moi ling: I am sorry I cannot lo that. It is a great pity he has spoilt, a good record. He must be convicted. Harris was sentenced to two A'eek.i imprisonment.