TOOK GROCERY PARCEL FROM PAVEMENT

Northern Advocate, 16 February 1938, Page 7

TOOK GROCERY PARCEL FROM PAVEMENT

An old man, John Patrick Clune, pleaded not guilty at the Whangarei Police Court to-day to stealing groceries valued at 15/7. James Alexander Martin, a farmer, of Kirikopuni, said that he had requested the North Auckland Farmers’ Co-op. to make up a grocery order and leave it outside their premises. Calling at 9 o’clock that night, he found that no goods were Waiting. H. Bowman said that he had made up the order* and at 5.15 p.m. placed it outside the main entrance. On ascertaining that Martin had not picked up the goods, witness informed the police. Later, Clune called and offered to pay for the parcel, which he said he had picked up so that it would not be stolen. The police, he said, had told him that provided he paid there would be no further trouble.

A constable, on visiting Clune’s residence, found the goods in a sugar bag. '

Clune said that he had been given the parcel by a stranger. The magistrate: This man has prex’ious convictions for theft and should not be at large. I do not want to send him to gaol at his age. He refuses, I understand, to go to an institution, but the police will try and find a place for him in the Old Men’s Home. The rase will be adjourned for a fortnight, and if he will not go to the Old Men’s Home he will have to be sent to gaol.