THEFT OF CARPENTERS’ TOOLS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 256, 24 July 1924, Page 3

THEFT OF CARPENTERS’ TOOLS

“A COMMON OFFENCE.” A carpenter, Arthur George Hugh Hughes, appeared before Mr. b. I, a S c ’ S.M., in the Magistrate s Court on Tuesday, on three charges ot thett of a varied assortment of carpenters and plumbers’ tools, also a bicycle, several articles of clothing, and a quantity o vegetables, tho total value being £2o 6s “Thefts of carpenters’ tools are common in Wellington.” declared Clnet Detective Kemp. “A <’® r l X!n^ s , ranges in value from £5O to a . n ‘* as they have to be kept on tho job it is impossible to keep them properly secure. That means that a valuable kit is at the mercy of any thief who comes along. In this case, added the chief detective, “some tools were stolen from a fellow-worker, while others were taken from outhouses. Some of the property was pawned and some sold to a second-hand dealer. The bulk of the goods had, however, been recovered. From tho dock accused declared that he had had a “disappointed” life, and ho had given way to drink, the cause of his trouble. “I was under the influence cif liquor when I did these things,” he added, “and I did not realise what T was doing. I have done everything I could to clear the matter up. If given another chance 1 will make restitution.” Chief Detective Kemp: The oftly assistance he gave us was to plead guilty when the recovered goods were shown to him. Accused was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with hard labour on each charge, the terms to be concurrent.