THEFT OF TIMBER

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25052, 16 November 1944, Page 7

THEFT OF TIMBER

WANTED TO BUILD HOUSE CARPENTER SENT TO PRISON "I was tired of living like a rat in one room, so I took this timber to myself a decent house," said Frederick Milton Bennett, carpenter, aged 33, when he pleaded guilty before Mr J. Morling, S.M., yesterday, to two charges of stealing timber valued at £6O, the property of Winstone's, Limited. Accused was employed by complainant as a sub-contractor at the firm's quarry in Lunn Avenue, Ellerslie, said Detective-Sergeant Aplin. He bad been in charge of the building there since last April. Inquiries made after the loss of large quantities of timber had been reported disclosed that accused was in possession of considerable timber at his home and also at a section owned by him at Otahuhu. The material had been delivered to tnese by a driver acting under accused's instructions. Further timber had been left at a sawmill to be cut to sizes suitable for housebuilding. Accused had a wife and child, and was paying a rental of £2 a week for two rooms. He was quite frank with the police. "We view this as a serious type of offence," said Mr Aplin. "Accused was employed in a position of trust, and was in charge of large stocks of material owned by the complainant firm. He abused this trust." "These were large thefts of materials in short supply," said the magistrate. "By taking this timber accused was depriving other people who might have been in urgent need of it. He has previously been convicted of dishonesty." Accused was sentenced to three months' imprisonment.

SHARE IN ESTATE SON'S UPHELD (0.C.) HAMILTON. Wednesday Reserved judgment was given by Mr Justice Smith in Hamilton today in the case in which Charles Murray Rumbles (Mr Teape) sought relief under the Family Protection Act from the estate of his father, Charles Rumbles, farmer, of Pukeatua. Bruce James Rumbles (Mr Strang) and others were named as defendants.

His Honor said Charles Rumbles, sen., died in March, 1943, leaving a widow, two sons and a daughter. His wife was left furniture and interest on a mortgage of £3203, which brought in £IOO a year. Plaintiff did not desire his mother's position to be altered. His Honor considered the farm to be worth far more than the mortgage and the Government valuation. Both the son Bruce and the daughter were left legacies, and Bruce was left the residue of the estate after the wife's death. Plaintiff was left only a watch. However, lie had received gifts totalling £IO7B from his father and brother. The testator had treated his son Bruce well, and there was no doubt he had deserved it, for he had remained on the'farm and had worked hard, His Honor continued. Plaintiff had fallen on misfortune during the depression through no fault of his own, and His Honor considered he was entitled to a portion of the estate. He directed that the plaintiff should receive £550 out of the estate on his mother's death. Bruce Rumbles would receive twice the benefit plaintiff would receive.

CHRISTMAS PLAY IMPRESSIVE PRODUCTION The first performance of "No Room," a modern miracle play, was given in the Town Hall last night by 200 members of the Catholic movement. Its theme was the Christmas story, pointed with a sharp moral lesson for today and emphasising the necessity for a return to Christian ideals of behaviour. The mode of presentation was unusual, dialogue, setting and production being designed to bring the audience into intimate contact with the players. . "No Room" opened with a recitative from the gospel according to St. John, pronounced by an angel choir, j.hen appeared the group of first people, bewailing their loss of Paradise by the sin of Adam, lonely and dispirited. These gave way in turn to groups of tired, suffering and busy people, each group distinctively costumed and portraying basic types common to the old and the modern. world. The choral speaking' by the different groups carried throughout an impressive, dramatic quality. . , The early scenes, depicting the unhappv position of the world before the corning of Christ the Redeemer led up to the announcement to the shepherds of the Incarnation at Bethlehem, foreshadowed by angelic choirs in the majestic language of the Glory to God in the Highest." Particularly impressive was the climax as the shepherds left the hall by the. back doors, their antique lanterns giving almost the only light. The later announcement ot the shepherds of the birth of Christ to the tired, suffering and busy groups is believed bv some only, but a crowd follows them back to the Crib for the finale. Marked throughout by excellent incidental music, the production was knit together as much by the discipline and spirit of the players as by to evangelist and narrator, who. told the outline of the story . and pointed , the moral. It was enthusiastically received by the audience, among whom was reflected. credit on the producer, Mndnmc Man. Bronte, the musical director, . Dpnn and the organist, Mr lrevor Sparling. "No Room" will be presented each night until Saturday.