Electric Power Pirates Fined

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 85, 1 July 1927, Page 13

Electric Power Pirates Fined

FATHER AND SON CHARGED GAOL THE FUTURE PENALTY J7EOPLE who steal electricity from the Auckland Electric Power Board may, in a short time, pass from light into prison darkness. Chief-Detective Cummings made this announcement at the Police Court this morning when Charles Carpenter, and his son, Sydney Carpenter, pleaded guilty to a joint charge of stealing power valued at £2 13s 4d from the Auckland Power Board. The chief detective said that Sydney Carpenter, who was an electric linesman, had attached a flex to the water-heating circuit, which was charged for on a flat rate, and did not register. The power stolen was used for heating a room. The system had been operating for some time. “The offence is difficult to detect, and the Power Board has decided to prosecute in every case.’’ “The board has chosen to rely on the honesty of the public to supply service at a minimum cost, and if the offence does not decrease imprisonment will be asked for.” Mr. Dickson, who appeared for the Carpenters, said that the father had been out of work for some time. It was the son who conceived the idea during the father’s absence in Wellington. “These people have very little money, and their circumstances were such that they committed the offence out of sheer necessity,” said Mr. Dickson. The magistrate, Mr. McKean, fined accused £5 each, and ordered them to make restitution to the Power Board.