WHARF SWEEPINGS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19813, 3 December 1919, Page 6

WHARF SWEEPINGS.

A CHARGE OF THEFT. WARNENG BY BENCH. A case which emphasised that, it ia an offence to appropriate wharf sweepings was heard in the Magistrate:'. Court at Lyttelton to-day, before Messrs F. Knight, J.P., and F. G. Norton, J.P. diaries Brader, an old man, was charged that, on November 28, ho, stole a quantity of chemical manure, the property of the Canterbury Steam Ship Company. Detective-Sergeant A, G. Quarterslated that on November the s.s. Karu, which was berthed at No. 4 wharf, loaded a quantity of chemical manure off some railway trucks. A quantity of the manure fell on the wharf and was still there when tho vessel sailed. Two days later, on the arrival of tho s.s. Koromiko, instruction were given that the manure sweepings should be swept into the harbour. Brader had collected hall ti sugar bag of the manure, and was taking it away when lie was detected. The police did not think the present charge a serious one, but the shipping companies wished to stop this kind of offence, as they contended, and rightly so, that if tho men were allowed to gather up the sweepings they would abuse the privilege by deliberately dropping cargo on to tho wharves. On principle those cases had to bo taken up and dealt with. Accused slated that the facts wore as stated by the detective, but be considered that after the vessel had departed and the manure was about to be swept into tho sea lie was doing no harm. The Bench pointed out to accused that he must have been aware that ho must not touch the sweepings on the wharf. lie know that it was not permitted, and that lie would ho running the risk of prosecution. A respectable man like accused should have known better than io have taken such sweepings. Tho .Bench, in this case, would treat accused leniently by convicting and discharging him. They wished to point out. as a warning, that if any other cases of a similar kind came up before them they would indict a substantial fine.