THEFT FROM LAUNDRY

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 226, 19 June 1940, Page 7

THEFT FROM LAUNDRY

Foreman Sent To Prison MAGISTRATES’ COURT A sentence of one month’s imprisonment with hard labour was imposed on Alfred Palea Oldham, laundryman, aged 40. when he appeared before -Mr. Stout, S.M., in the Magistrates' Court,. Wellington, yesterday, on a charge of stealing a quantity of sheets, blankets, towels and pillow slips, valued at £lO/3/-, the property of the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand. Ltd. Sub-Inspec-tor L. R. Capp prosecuted. Tlie sub-inspector said Oldham, had been foreman at the Union Steam Ship Company's laundry at Evans Bay for the past 15 years. When bis home was searched the goods mentioned in the charge were found. Oldham admitted he Had stolen the property. .There was no reason for the num to steal. _ During the past year he had earned £455. When arrested he had in his possession £lOO/18/-. lie was married with two children. Mr. W. Mellish, who appeared for Oldham, said the case was one of those inexplicable lapses. Oldham said the trouble started when lie wanted blankets while there was illness in his house. No doubt if he had asked for the loan of the blankets thev would have been given to him. He overlooked returning them. The sheets were taken by another man not now in the employ of the company and Oldham had got (hem back with the intention of returning them. The towels were rejects and of no further use to the company. Michael William. Stack, aged 41). was fined £2 and ordered to pay costs on a charge of stowing away on the s.s. Wabine at Lyttelton. For resisting a constable in the execution of his duty Garfield Frederick John William Smith, labourer, aged 19. was lined £l. He was also lined £1 for using obscene language and convicted and discharged on a charge of drunkenness.