THEFTS FROM SHIPS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 20 November 1924, Page 5

THEFTS FROM SHIPS.

WIFE INFORMS THE POLICE,

(BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATIONAUCKLAND, Nov. 19. At the Police Court to-day Harold Cyril Howe Frances,, aged 35, appeared on 26 charges of theft of goods valued at £l4 5s 3d from the wharves, accused having worked on ships from which the goods were missed. Sergeant Mclntyre deposed" that in consequence of a message he went to accused’s home with Constable Back, ana was let in by his wife. Witness observed a large quantity of goods (produced) in a box on the kitchen floor, and on questioning the accused about thenij he said he had got three, jugs and crockery from his mother. ■ Accused’s wife then interposed that his mother had been dead several years, and added that the goods had been pillaged by her husband.,- She also added that even the blankets on the beds were stolen, and had it not been for his thieving from the wharves they would have been destitute

In court Mrs. Frances corroborated the accused’s statement as to how he became possessed of the goods, and stated that she had purchased various articles of clothing (produced). To counsel she said she had had a disagreement with her husband, and had informed the police that if they went to her home they would find goods stolen by her husband Her signed statement to the police was untrue. She was very much distressed and was not on oath when she made it. She was so upset that she could not Eft. “* she said *° Swgeant

.Abused was 'Convicted on thirteen charges, involving £9 17s 6d. four of Which were admitted, the other thirteen being dismissed. Sentence wall he imposed to-morrow, bail being re -