THEFTS FROM WHARVES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19333, 20 November 1924, Page 7

THEFTS FROM WHARVES.

CHARGES AGAINST WATERSIDE WORKER, s REMANDED FOR SENTENCE. {Pee United Phess Association.) AUCKLAND, November 19. At the Police Court, Harold Cyril Howa Francis, aged 36, appeared on 26 charges , of theft of goods valued at £l4 5s 3d from the wharves, accused having worked on the ships from which the goods; were missed. ' Sergeant MTntyre deposed that in con* sequence of a message he went to accused 8 house with a constable and. was let In, by accused’s wife. Witness observed a large quantity of goods (produced) in a box on the kitchen floor, and on question* ing accused about them he said;-he got three jugs and crockery from his mother. Accused’s wife then interposed that his mother had been dead several years, and added that the gpoda_ had been pillaged by her hifsband. She also added that even the blankets on the beds were stolen, and - had it not been for his thieving frdin tha , wharves they would have been left destitUln the court Mrs Francis corroborated - accused's statement as to how he became possessed of the goods, and stated she . had purchased various of clothing produced. To counsel she said that she had had a disagreement with her husband and had informed the police that • if they went to her home they would ■ find the goods stolen by her husband. Her signed statement to the police was ■ untrue. She was very much distressed and was not on oath when she made it. , She was so upset she could not remember what she said to Sergeant M’lntyre. Accused was convicted on 15 charges, involVing £9 17s 6d, four of ,Mich were ■ admitted, the other 13 being dismissed. Accused was remanded for sentence till to* ! | morrow, bail being refused. j