THEFTS FROM MOTOR-CARS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20594, 19 June 1930, Page 14

THEFTS FROM MOTOR-CARS.

MEN LIVING BY CHARITY.

BOTH SENT TO PRISON.

" These two men are strangers to tho city, but they have been having a pretty good time,'' said Chief-Detective Hammond, when Wallace Vernon Chatfield, aged 33, and Frederick John Foster, aged 47, both labourers, appeared in tho Polico Court yesterday on four charges of theft from motor-cars parked in city streets. They wero charged with stealing a rug, valued at ss, an overcoat, valued at 30s, an overcoat and scarf, valued at £3 10s, and two rugs, an overcoat and a scarf ? valued at £2 10s. All the thefts were committed on Juno 12. Ono man admitted tho offences, while the other pleaded guilty to "being found in possession."

"These two men are practically strangers to Auckland," said the chief detective. " I will read Your Worship a statement to show you how easy it is for theso men to live in Auckland without doing any work. These two men have been living at tho Rev. Jasper Calder's shelter, eating at tho Manna House and stealing for their beer."

Mr'. Hammond then read a statement mado' to the police by. Foster, in which lie said ho had met tho other accused in a city hotel. After arranging for beds at the shelter they went to a motor-car and Chatfield took a coat, which he gave to Foster. Tho two then walked to tho Manna House and had dinner there, later going into the city and taking more articles from cars. The pair then had more liquor. Sontenco of three months' imprisonment was passed on each accused £>y the magistrate, Mr. F. K. Hunt, who ordered the stolen articles to be returned to their owners.