POLICE COURT NEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22320, 18 January 1936, Page 17

POLICE COURT NEWS

CHARGES OF THEFT ONE CASE DISMISSED The theft of a number of oil-drums, valued at £9 9s 6d, the property of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile .Agency Company, Limited, was admitted in the Police Court yesterday by George Harper, aged 43, labourer. Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., was on the Bench. Senior-Detective Hall said the company had reported a series of thefts of oil-drums, and accused admitted when questioned by Detectives Miller and Gillum that he had stolen a number of drums, and sold them to dealers. Mr. Hall added that accused was a war pensioner, and had had several operations to his head. He was shortly to enter hospital for another. Accused was convicted, ordered to make restitution and to appear for sentence in 12 months. "You have had a clear sheet to date, so I don't think I will enter a conviction this time, especially as you are an old-ago pensioner," said the magistrate,, when a man, aged 70, was charged with stealing a small quantity of tea from the hold of the steamer Monowai. Counsel, Mr. Sullivan, said that accused was employed occasionally on the waterfront, and had taken some tea which had fallen on to the floor of the Monowai's hold, and which he considered was merely waste. Accused was discharged.

A charge of stealing a bag of potatoes, valued at 0s 4d, the property of Produce Markets, Limited, was admitted by Walter Henry Moore, carrier, who appeared on summons. "You have had a conviction for the same sort of thing," said the magistrate, who imposed a fine of £3.