THEFT FROM A SHIP

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 239, 27 June 1918, Page 6

THEFT FROM A SHIP

CASE AGAINST A FIREMAN. "Thefts from ships have become so common—l notice that they are common here in Wellington, and I know they aro common in Auckland—that it has becomo JiL'cessary in most cases to impose a sentence of imprisonment. I don't like to sentence to imprisonment a first offender, but there .are some classes of charges tiiat are so.frequent and sometimes 60 hard to find that it becomes necessary to make an example of somebody who is caught." These remarks were made by Mr. F. .V. Frazer, S.M., at tho Magistrate's Court yestordßy in a case in which, a fireman on the Pateena, named William Tynan, was charged with having stolen on Tuesday last l}lb. of tea, valued at 35., and lib. of butter,. valued at Iβ. 6d., tho property of Steam Ship Compauy. ' ' - Inspector Marsack, who prosecuted, stated that when going ashore on Tuesday accused was accosted- by Constable Fleming'and asked what it was ho was carrying. Accused replied, "Washing." On the parcel being examined, the goods mentioned in the . information were found. Accused was a married man, and was probably taking the goode home. Accused, in a statement from the dock, stated that the tea was lying about on the blankets in the forecastle, and he thought ho might as well have some of it rather than see it thrown away. Tho butter was in a tin. The Magistrate: I toko it these wero ship's stores. Accused: Yes; they wero the firemen's allowance. His Worehip pointed out that the articles of a ship laid it down that any surplus in the crew's allowance belonged to the ship. Surely accused was &waro of that, After'referring to the fact that thefts from ships were becoming common, His ■Worship said that accused might havo believed he was doing no narm in taking the tea nnd butter. "This time I will deal with tho matter by means of o. fine," remarked His Worship,, "but I don't want you to run away with tho idea that there will be a. fine on future occasions, unless there are some special circumstances." ■Tynan was lined £3, in default M days' imprisonment.