Stole £28 From Tent Of Confiding Mate

Northern Advocate, 30 November 1939, Page 9

Stole £2B From Tent Of Confiding Mate

The theft of £2B from the tent of a workmate was responsible for Reginald John Keith White being sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with, hard labour in Mount Eden Gaol.

White, 23, a labourer, was charged at the Court this afternoon with having stolen £2B, the property of Wilfred Elliott Craig, at Kaipahtiki, near Paihia, on November 11th.

White elected to be dealt with summarily and pleaded guilty. “This is a particularly moan theft. White going to his workmate’s tent and stealing his money after his mate had confided in him where he kept it.” Senior-Sergeant A. Henderson said. Craig and White were employed in the same Public Works camp near Paihia.

Craig had £2B in notes and silver in an unlocked suitcase in his tent, and it had been stolen by White during his absence.

Gave £25 to Taxidriver.

When at Kawakawa on November 16, White had given £25 to a taxidriver to hold for him, retaining the balance, which he had spent, mainly on liquor. White had received sums of £6/10/ on November 18, and £5/10/ on November 24, and he ricid also spent this money.

After Craig had complained, White had been interviewed. At first he had denied the offence, but later had admitted it. A balance of £l3 had been recovered from tlie taxidriver, who was not aware that the money had been stolen.

“White has been employed on the Public Works at Paihia for several months,” said the Senior-Sergeant. “He is addicted to drink and his moral character is bad."

When arrested. While had boon in a hut with native women.

Belongs to Christchurch

He belonged to Christchurch, where he had attended school until he was 13, and since ’then had been drifting about the North Island. "He states that he received an injury on the Wellington wharves in 1931 (he would be then 15 years of age), and had to go into the Wellington Hospital two months later for treatment, and from there was committed to the Porirua Mental Hospital, where he remained for 11 months.”

White had stolen an electro-plated sugar basin from a restaurant in Russell on August 26, but had not been prosecuted, as the article had been recovered and the owner desired no further action. Not Case For Probation. A total of £ls had not been recovered. White had £9 in wages due, and another £4 payable before Christmas, while ho owed £2 to the cookhouse. He had signed an agreement to pay the £ll duo by him to Craig. “White is at present wanted* on a warrant of commitment at Auckland for six weeks’ default of payment of £l3/14/, Which is the balance of a fine and costs for being intoxicated in charge of a motor car,” concluded the Senior-Sergeant.

White said he had nothing to say, “This is not a case for probation,” commented Mr Ferner, S.M., in sentencing White to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour.

The magistrate made an order for the payment of the £l3 recovered to Craig.