One Month’s Gaol For Stealing Army Food

Northern Advocate, 19 December 1942, Page 4

One Month’s Gaol For Stealing Army Food

While troops were absent on manoeuvres recently, Herbert Raymond Carter, a sergeant cook, took foodstuffs from the stores, packed them into a parcel which he left under an assumed name at the Whangarei railway station, and later claimed it. With an army officer Detective G. S. Miller was watching and when Carter was intercepted he frankly admitted that he had intended sending the parcel to his home at Napier. This story was told by Detective Miller this morning when prosecuting Carter who admitted stealing two tins of fish, two tins of condensed milk, two tins of plums, two tins of pears, two tins of meat, two jars of pickles, two tin of syrup and a quantity of tea. sugar and rice of a total value of £l/7 0. the property of the Army Department. Position of Trust Carter occupied a position of trust, having the keys of a store while the troops were on manoeuvres, and it was difficult to understand why he should have fallen into stealing the foodstuffs said Detective Miller. A married man. Carter had not previously been before the court for dishonesty and' he was regarded by the army authorities, who wished him to be dealt with by the civil court, as a good worker and a fh’st-class cook. Asked by Mr W. Reynolds, J.P.. who with Mr F. Watters, J.P.. heard the case, if he had any explanation to make. Carter said he had "not deprived the boys of any stuff, otherwise he would not have taken it," and now saw the folly of his action. “Wi|h the army having large stores of all kinds it is expected that soldiers should justify their position of trust, - ' said Mr Reynolds. Carter was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment with hard labour and the foodstuffs were ordered to be returned to the army authorities. Carter asked for suppression of his name but this request was refused.