THEFT OF EGGS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 266, 6 August 1931, Page 6

THEFT OF EGGS

Elderly Man Gaoled “STEALING A DISEASE” The adventures of eight eggs valued at two shillings, the property of Mrs. Jeannett Williams, were unfolded in the Lower Hutt Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Samuel McShane, an elderly man, who was charged with the theft of them, was sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment. He had a long list of previous convictions.' , “I thought he was an honest man, ’ said Mrs. Williams, giving evidence. “I showed him some ducks’ eggs for sitting and told him they were 5/- a dozen. He went away and came back and asked the price of hens’ eggs for sitting. I told him the price was the same, 5/- a dozen.. I went on with my work, never thinking I could mistake the man. When I turned round there he was helping himself to the eggs. When I spoke, he put three back in the bucket and broke them, and ran away as fast as he could.” Constable Scarry, stationed at) Moera said that on Saturday, August 1, he received complaints about accused prowling round back yards and in fowlhouses in the vicinity of Park Road. “I saw him and he denied going into Mrs. Williams’s fowlhouse. I asked him what he had done with his overcoat. He said he had no overcoat. I searched him and he had no eggs. Next day (Sunday), acting on a telephone message, I went on the pipe bridge and watched him prowling about in various streets. I saw him get his overcoat from under a hedge. I searched it and found eight eggs in the pockets. He is getting a proper pest down there and the neighbours are afraid .” Accused said he was a tailor by trade, and was at present on relief work. He had got the eggs from his daughter. He was on the way home

when he stopped at Mrs. Williams’s and was looking at her ducks and hens. “1 had a duck and I was going to set it,” -he continued. “I was looking at the eggs. She was working close by and when she sang out I got the fright of my life. I did not wait, but took to my heels as fast as I could. I took the eggs out' of my pocket and put them in my overcoat pocket and hid them under a hedge. I ran because I got frightened, I tell you honestly. “On Sunday I went to my daughter’s again and she gave me two more eggs. It took me a long time, about two hours, to find my coat. After that I was stopped by the constable.” Sergeant McHolm: Why did you- tell the constable you had no overcoat on Saturday? “I did not,” replied accused. “He is making a mis-statement.” _ Evidence was given by accused’s daughter that she had given him the eggs. “X very-much regret to say,” said ths magistrate, “that I am unable to believe the defendant’s story. lam sorry to think that an old man like that can tell untruths as I belieye he has. lam satisfied that Mrs. Williams’s story is’true. He must : be convicted.” Sergeant McHolm pointed out that accused had had several convictions for theft previously. Mr, Rainey pointed out that accused's wife was in a very serious state of health and there was no one else to support her. “I must sentence him to a term of imprisonment,” said the magistrate. “It is a small theft, and I will sentence him to fourteen days.”