DIRTY SNEAK-THIEVES.

NZ Truth, Issue 119, 28 September 1907, Page 6

DIRTY SNEAK-THIEVES.

A Trio Imprisoned.

•Theft may be an absolute art with some people, but others aren't too good at the thieving game. All over the colony, on wharves, steamers, railway goodsheds and other places, men's hands intrude on what doesn't belong to them. It is a veritable hobby ; an undesirable sort of hobby, it is true, but there are some men who would rather take it on than collect vertu or graft or prune trees. The blasted sneak thief is a most contemptible person, and the importer hates him, and the ships' officers hate him, and his name isn't worth putting on the electoral roll. The trouble is that the abhorrent swine isn't always caught. In fact he is rarely caught, and that is why . the risk i.s taken and goods are shaken. But what do the precious "wives think of these arrant scoundrels Who get

GOODS ON THE CHEAP ? They must know that they don't come by them honestly ; that no bills reach the. house for them. Surely ! Most of the thieving rascals mayhap have no wives, and then no doubt a "fence," who buys stolen property cheap, is a very handy individual. At the Lyttelton Police Court three prime thieves named John Murphy (poor Irish !) and John Erickson and Emil Johnson (Scandics) were up on a charge of prigging. They were employed on the schooner Morning Light, and Sergeant Rutledge let light m on their proceedings. When they were at Takaka they burglarised the shed on the wharf and got away with men's and 1 boys' clothing and handkerchiefs, singlets and overalls and what not, vaiued at over 11 quid. The sergeant didn't give these jokers much chance when stating the case to the bench, and they owned up to a dirty charge which other seafaring men might be blamed for. No fine this trip ; two months m Cleary's caravanserai happens to be the holiday.