“SHIELDING SOMEBODY”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 485, 15 October 1928, Page 16

“SHIELDING SOMEBODY”

THEFT OF GLASS FROM OTAHUHU RAILWAY GANGER FINED A ganger named Herbert Harriman, employed at the new Otahuhu railway workshops, pleaded guilty at the Onehunga Police Court this morning to a charge of receiving a case of glass, valued at £4 4s 6d, knowing the same to have been stolen. Sergeant Cruickshank said that the glass had been intended for the widows in the Otahuhu workshops, and had been found in accused’s house. Accused had told the police that he had bought it from the foreman of works, but the latter had since denied all knowledge of the deal. “Accused,” said the sergeant, “is apparently shielding somebody. He will not divulge the name of the person who delivered the case afy his house. The case would be too heavy for one man to lift.” The Magistrate: It would have been better had the other parties been brought before the court. The Sergeant: Every effort has been made to get at the bottom of the transaction, but the police have failed to secure any further evidence. Accused said that he had at first asked the foreman if he could buy a quantity of glass that had been broken, but the foreman replied: “Bert, would you like a case of good glass? You can have one for £l.” He thereupon closed the deal at that. The magistrate, Mr. F. H. Levien, said there were evidently others concerned in the theft, but as the glass had been returned he would merely fine accused £4 and costs. A request to supprss accused’s name was refused.