NOVEL EXCUSE FOR THEFT.

NZ Truth, Issue 244, 26 February 1910, Page 6

NOVEL EXCUSE FOR THEFT.

Wanted thc Money to Pay a Fine! A game of hazard, played on a Wellington wharf, -and -spoilt by n . police raid, ended disastrously for a young man named Percival McKernan Braithwaite. who was giving his few bob a "go" m the hazardous game. He was lined a | coujjlr of quid for his flutter. During thc week he made another court appearance, when he was charged, with stealing [the sum of £3 18s, the property of one Carl Larsen, who was a shipmate of accused^. Braithwaite pleaded •? guilty and was remanded for sentence till yesterday. In the meantime, another charge of stealing a bicycle was preferred against him, and as he elected to . be : tried by a jury, he was ren. 1 apt) cd on that charge till' tbe following, W.ctir.estlay, when he was; committed for trial. Braithwaite explained the theft of Larson's money by declaring (hat he was -due to appear before tlie court -for playing hazard, and he wanted tlie necessary with which to pay whatever fine that might l:e imposed. He pave an undertaking that the money would I c repaid, and iha ma r-'stato, Mr Ridr.'cll, .S.M., fined him ?0s or re en d ys' f.aol.