STEALING FROM EMPLOYERS. AUCKLAND, September 27.

Otago Witness, Issue 2690, 4 October 1905, Page 58

STEALING FROM EMPLOYERS. AUCKLAND, September 27.

William "Warren and Norman Percy Warren, warehousemen, employed by R. H. Abbott and Co., wholesale drapers, wera committed for sentence to-day. They pleaded "Guilty" to a joint charge of stealing goods of the value of £70, whii© William, the elder brother, also admitted, a charge of stealing other goods valued at £75. Accused made a series of confessions, which were produced in evidence. It appeared that William Warren induced his brother to assist him in packing a ea-se» ot drapery in Abbott's warehouse in July. They got a carter named Wrig'ht to take it away during the dinner hour. Suspicion, however, had been aroused, and the warehouse manager, who saw the oase leave, sent some man to Warren's house t» examine it. Thinking that inquiries would bo made. William Wjrren confessed that he had induced his brother Norman Warren away from the. warehouse to empty the case. Norman Warren now confessed that h& threw the contents of the case beneath his brother's house, and supported; him in his statement to the employers that the oase was empty when it left the warehouse. The goods were entrusted to an Assyrian commission agent for auction sale*. William Warren further confessed to having disposed of £75 worth of goods without accounting for the piocceds to his employers. John Wright pleaded " Guilty " to receiving goods knowing them to be- stolen.— Dctectjve Hollis produced the accused's con-fr-ssion that he knew a case despatched to Warren's houso was full, though ho had first declared it was emptj-. He subsequently offered to give full information to the »enior partner in ths firm in consideration of £25. He received £5. and gave information, resulting in William Warren's arrest. — The accused was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence, ba-il being allowed in two sureties of £200 each. Similar bail was allowed the two Warrens.

NATURE STUDY IN SCHOOLS. TO THE L'DITOH

Sir, — It was with great regret that I observed in your report of the Education Conference that Mr George's (technical director, Auckland) motion re rural education was defeated by one vote. Mr George simply asked for a small assistance to train te?^hers "io give instruction in their schools in Nature study, including the cultivation of school gardens.' This, I understand, was in accordance with tho views of the Auckland Education Board, but Mr Petrie (who, I believe, is inspector in Auckland) spoke strongly against it, and* said: "The teachers should ba, given a little rest now." Can anyone imagine any greater rest to a tired school teacher than a qtiaiter of an hour in a gaiden with children j all enthusiastic gardeners, whilst the windows of the school are thrown wide open, and the room thoroughly aired?

All the other countries that are in front jn educational matters are paying attention to the very subject, which the conference relected. The new syllabus provides for it; the department- encourages it ; the Ministry, is in sympathy with it ; and the country, settlers desire it. As far as I know, tin? teachers enjoy the change, and many can point with pride to the work done by their scholars, and the prizes taken at the local' shows. Technical education is objected to in the piimary schools, but it is not technical' education merely t& interest a child in thewonders of Xature. It cannot be technical education to try and encourage the beautifying of ths school grounds, and so have the! sehc-oj^yard attractive, instead of, as it tooj often is, a puddle in winter and' a dusty yard in> summer, with no shade and no shelter. I hope there was no truth in the remark "that it was town versus countiy." and that things shall have advanced to such an extent that by next conference we shall be _ able to show to ih?t majority of one a satisfactory, result, and =o convert the majority against, the propn«al io a -unanimous desire to see tha movement extended. — I am, etc.. James G. Wilsoit,

Bulls. September 18.

The Mataura electoral roll is now in the! hands of the printers. It will contain well over 6COO names, as. against 5094 Jhree year* M 9*