THEFTS FROM SHIPS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1924, Page 6

THEFTS FROM SHIPS.

WIFE TELLS THE POLICE. WATERSIDER'S BIG HAUL. OC-NVICTED ON THIRTEEN CHARGES By Telegraph—-Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. At. the Police Court to-day Harold Cyril Howe Frances, aged 35, appeared on 26. charges of theft of goode valued at £l4 5s 3d from the wharves, accused having worked on ship* from which the goods were missed. Sergeant Mclntyre deposed that in consequence of a message, he went to accused’s home with Constable Back, and was let in by hie wife. Witness observed a large quantity of goods (produced) in a box on the kitchen floor, and on questioning the accused about them, he said he had 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 goods had been pillaged by her husband. She also added that even the blankets on the beds were stolen, and had it not been for his thieving from the wharves they would have been destitute. In court Mrs. Frances corroborated the accused’s statement as to how hi became possessed of the goods, and stated that she had purchased various articles of clothing (produced). To counsel she said she had had a disagreement with her husband, and had informed the police that if they went . to her home they would find goods stolen by her 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 that she could not remember wl at she said to Sergeant Mclntyre. Accused was convicted on thirteen cl urges, involving £0 17s 6d, four of which were admitted, the other thirteen being dismissed. Sentence will be impored to-morrow, bail being refused.