GIFT TO GAOL

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 239, 10 May 1933, Page 5

GIFT TO GAOL

TWO NIGHTDRESSES Stolen from PLASTERER IMPRISONED Auckland, May 9. Henry William Thomas Jones (36), a plasterer, came before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., in the Police Court this morning, on a charge of stealing two nightdresses, valued at £1 TOs, the property of Hilda Moses. Accussed admitted being in possession of the nightdreses, but denied stealing them. Hilda Moses, dressmaker, of Tabernacle Buildings, Upper Qu'een Street, said that on a recent Saturday she left her rooms securely locked. On tho following Monday morning she found that two nightdresses (produced) had been taken from a drawer. The nightdresses belonged to a customer. 1

The next witness, Margaret Mary Young, said she was at present serving a term of imprisonment in Mount Eden Gaol. She admitted writing to accused, asking him to send her some fancy work. Jones sent her the two nightdresses. The caretaker of Tabernacle Buildings said he saw Jones looking in through a window on the Sunday morning. He questioned Jones about being on enclosed premises, and Jones replied that he was waiting for a mate. He had a small brown paper parcel under one arm. Witness went to search for accused’s mate, but could not find anyone. Accused then waited for half an hour while witness brought a policeman. Constable Rusbton said Jones told him he had gone to see a man to get some old clothes from him. On being interviewed by witness, this man said that while he had previously given Jones some clothing, he did not give him any on this occasion, neither did he undertake to do so. Jones did not give evidence, but made a statement from the dock, in which he said he found the parcel inside the gate.

“I’m afraid that is not a convincing story,’’ said the magsitrate, wuo asked Detective-Sergeant Doyle if lie knew how the person who took the articles got into the building. Mr. Doyle said there was no doybt that the thief entered through a window. Jones was convicted.

"You were up twelve months ago for theft, when you were given a chance,” said Mr. McKean, in sentencing Jones to one month’s imprisonment.