THEFTS FROM STEAMER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20116, 29 November 1928, Page 12

THEFTS FROM STEAMER.

WATERSI DER PLEADS GUILTY. COMMENT BY MAGISTRATE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN* CORRESPONDENT.] NEW PLYMOUTH, Wednesday " I am 'of opinion that this class of offence should bo punished by imprisonment," said Mr. 11. W. Tate, S.M., in tho Police Court to-day, when a waterside worker, R. J. Hughes, was charged with stealing a quantity r' crockery valued at 31s, tho property of the Federal Steam Navigation Co., from the steamer Hertford. Accused was also charged with stealing a quantity of tinned and bottled goods valued at 21s. He pleaded guilty. Detective Meiklejohn said accused had worked on tho Hertford, and a caso of crockery had been tampered with. Of a quantity which was missing, the bulk was found during a visit (o accused's home. Accused had said ho had been tempted to commit the offence owing to poverty,' but tho records showed that his earnings for tho past 37 weeks had been about £6 a week. It was a fact that he had had hospital bills to pay. The police knew nothing elso against him. The magistrate said there was a grave danger of probation being overdone. The man was in a position of trust, and these offences were inexcusable. He would consider tho matter. Sentence was postponed until to-morrow.