“A WASTER”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10950, 12 July 1921, Page 5

“A WASTER”

THEFT OP BENZINE. TWO MONTHS’ HARD LABOUR IMPOSED. Charles W. Hanning, a burly man of 26 years of age, appeared before Mr P. K. Hunt, S.Mt. yesterday. Hanning was charged with the theft of two cases of benzine from the Lamb ton railway yards on July 4th, and was represented by Mr J. Scott. Chief-Detective Ward stated that on July 4th there had been, several trucks of benzine ■pt the Lamb ton y auras awaiting carriage to Dannevirke. At about 7 p.m. a man had been seen making for • Featherston street with a case of benzine on bis shoulder. The man had disappeared and two cases had been found hidden in different places. A watch had been, soft, and Hanning and another man had arrived m a motor and shipped one of the cases. Hanning had been arrested, the other man had disappeared. Hanning had come of good stock and had started) out in life well : but inquiries had revpaled the fact that he had la wife and three children, who he did not support. i" . Mr Scott submitted for the defence that accused had been out of work, knocking round town and drinking. His wife had 'been keeping him, and he had got into bad, company. He was prepared to take out a prohibition order against himself and leave town for the country, where work him if the magistrate frould give him another chance. The Railway Department had suffered no lass, and there were degrees in crime. His client had been guilty only in , the' second degree. • “What do you know about him, Mr Mills?” asked the magistrate of the probation officer. “Hie is a waster, air,” answered that gentleman. “Waster is he?” said Mr Hunt, '“Very well, he is sentenced to two months’ hard labour.” .