PILLAGING OF CARGO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19675, 29 June 1927, Page 14

PILLAGING OF CARGO.

PREVALENCE IN AUCKLAND.

SHIPPING COMPANIES' LOSSES

WATERSIDE WORKERS' OFFENCE TWO MEN GRANTED PROBATION. Figures showing the amount of cargo pillaging at Auckland during the past year were quoted by Chief-Detective Cummings in tlie Police Court yesterday when John Wallace Thurlow and Leslie Robert William Knight, both aged 25, appeared for sentence on a charge of stealing 40 yards of silk valued at £5 6s, the property of the Union Steam Ship Company. The chief detective said Knight had pleaded guilty last week to 15 charges of theft, and Thurlow to six charges. Both had been remanded for sentence on the charge of stealing the silk. Since then inquiries had been made showing that during the past twelve months cargo pillaging at Auckland had resulted in a loss of £3949 14s. The Union Steam Ship Company alone had lost £1762, and the New Zealand Shipping Company £lOl4. During last year Knight's wages averaged over £5 weekly. He was married, with two young children, but his general reputation was not satisfactory. So far as could be ascertained Thurlow's moral character was good, apart from the thefts. He had done his best to care for his wife, who was in ill-health. The theft of the silk was a particularly impudent one, the material having been taken from a special locker. About 270 yards were stolen, but only 40 yards were traced to accused's possession. Mr. Sullivan, who appeared for accused, said they had already spent a week in prison, and asked that they should be allowed probation. They were young men, coming before the Court for the first time. The fact that there had been a large amount of thieving on the wharf should not be allowed to Weigh against accused. The Magistrate, Mr. McKean: It shows that the offence is very common. Air. Sullivan: The same could be said of any theft. It is very unfair to always single out waterside workers as a special nuisance to the community. The Magistrate: There is no suggestion of that kind The waterside worker receives the same treatment as anybody elSt;. Mr. Sullivan: That has not been my experience. I have seen waterside workers sentenced to terms of imprisonment when in my opinion they did not deserve it. The magistrate said he had had serious doubts whether he should admit accused to probation, but he had conferred with the probation officer, who was fortunately able to submit a favourable report. Accused would be admitted to probation for two years.