EXPENSIVE APPLES.

Mataura Ensign, 15 March 1909, Page 2

EXPENSIVE APPLES.

TIIKISE MEN VISED. .Several cases which oxeited a good deal of local interest in view ol the tact that tho depredations of apple thieves have- been numerous this season were heard before Messrs T. Green aud A. A. Scott, J'sl'., this morning at tho Gore Comt, when three men were charged with stealing apples iroiu John Day's orchard tho previous cveniug. The accused were Ernest Limpus. Juhu Elliott and Alex. McDonald, all of whom were de-scribed as mill hands. Tho oti'ouco was admitted by the men, who appeared to treat tho matter as a joke. Constable Lariner, wlio prosecuted, stated that accused apparently went openly to tho orchard and couinieiicod to remove tho apples, Inn, on becoming aware of Mr Day's proximity fhev departed iiuuiodly, taking halt a sack ol apples with them. Mr Day gave chase aud on Constable Schrutfcr and himself being communicated with thev arrested the trio.

Mr Day expressed tin. hope that an example would be niado of the men, lor oll'eueos of this kind were altogether too common. "Wo are liothered enough with birds aud insects," he said, "without being inflicted with the human pest."

McDonald: Wo did no damage and only picked up windfalls. The saino uccubed were then further charged with damaging four apple trees, the. property of John Day. Thev pleaded not guilty, statini' that thev had only picked up windfalls. Mr Day pointed out to the Court that the apples were obviously not wiudfalla. The men had caused considerable, damage and spoiled next year's crop to a certain extent, branches were strewn on the ground and that tho men had pulled the trees about whs perfectly plain to anyoiio who knew anything about growing fruit. The Court divided to convict on the first charge. Mr Green said applestealing was altogether too common and should bo put down. Limpus and Elliott would bo fined £2 each or 11 days' imprisonment. McDonald, who had a long list of convictions, would he dealt with moro strictly and ho was fined £5 with tho alternative of going to gaol lor a month.

McDonald: Con 1 have tim.t to pay Mr Green: How lung do you want: ; Accused: A week or two.

Mr Green: I won't give you that lon can have till 3 p.m. or to to gaol,