CAUGHT RED-HANDED

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11250, 30 June 1922, Page 5

CAUGHT RED-HANDED

FISHERMEN IN TROUBLE. ARTICLES STOLEN FROM WILTSHIRE. . PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, June 29. Four fishermen, arrested at Great Barrier Island for theft from the wreck of the Wiltshire on June 6th, oame before Mr Poynton, S.M., to-day. They were Alfred Christian Larsen (29), and James Sinclair Shirley (33), or the launch Spray, and Alfred Williams (40), and Henry Billyeald (35), of the launch Waimumu. According to the evidence, a Customs official (Frederick Abercrombie) and Sergeant Flanigan, who were on duty at the Great Barrier, made a surprise visit by launch to the wreck at midnight on’ June 6th. On arrival they found the Spray and the Waimumu lying on the leeward side of the wreck and hoarded them. On tlhe Spray was found stowed in a hold, a suitcase with some blankets attached to it and containing a olook and compass, and in the Waimumu was found some electro-plate ware. At Tryphena the suitcase was found to contain clothing belonging to the captain, chief, second, and third officers of the Wiltshire. Each accused pleaded guilty, and was committed for sentence. DEGREES OF THEFT. STEALING FROM A VESSEL. During the hearing in the Supreme Court yesterday by His Honour tho Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) of the case of the prisoner Hill, charged with theft from a vessel, His Honour called attention to the stringency of the New Zealand laws dealing with this class ®f offence. Theft from a vessel, said Hia Honour, was a crime for which fourteen years’ imprisonment could be inflicted. It was considered far more serious than theft from a dwelling; and it would be well for the public in general to understand that.