HUSBAND'S SAD STORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15997, 16 August 1915, Page 5

HUSBAND'S SAD STORY.

SEQUEL TO LOSS OF WORK.

TOOK FOOD FOR CHILDREN,

" This is one of the most pitiable cases that have ever come under mv notice." said Mr. Allan Moody in the Police Court on Saturday morning, vhen a married man, aged 32 years, was charged before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., with the theft of small quantities of coffee, milk, sugar, butter, blue, gerstena. and soap, valued at 8s lid, the property of Hutchinson Bros. Proceeding, Mr. Moody said the accused had been employed by Hutchinson Bros, for three years. During that time he bore an unblemished character. tie had five children, several of whom had been ill, and a delicate wife, Ihe accused had been earning £2 10s per week, and on this wage he had been unable to maintain his family and pay medical expenses. On Friday, Hutchinson Bros, dis[>ensed with accused's services, owing to slackness of work. Having no occupation to go to, he foolishly took the goods named in the charge-sheet. He would get no reference from Hutchinson Bros., and he would have the greatest difficultv in obtaining employment. Mr. Moody "submitted that the case was one which" could be dismissed under section 237 of the Justices of the Peace Act.

Chief Detective McMahon said the position was as Mr. Moody had stated it. The accused had, up till recently, been receiving only £2 5s per week, and had to pay 14a per week rent. The chief detective pointed out that the goods were taken for the purpose of feeding accused's children. The magistrate decided to take time to consider the case. He adjourned it until Tuesday morning. The accused was released in the meantime.