THEFT OF GAS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 270, 15 November 1932, Page 5

THEFT OF GAS

SLOT METERS ABUSED FINES OF £2 IMPOSED A conviction and fine of £2 each was imposed upon Herbert Oliver Sundborn, Francis Emily Rowlands and Mavis Marie McCormick by Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court, at Wanganui yesterday morning for having stolen a quantity of coal gas, the property of the Wanganui City Council. Each pleaded guilty and was represented by Mr. C. H. Clinkard. Detective Murray said that during June the three defendants occupied a house at Castlecliff which had been fitted with a l/-in-the-slot gas meter. They had vacated the house without notice and, when the meter-reader had called later, he had found six tops of paper match boxes in the meter. One foreign coin was also discovered. The matter had been reported to the police and each offender had admitted the offence. The amount involved, 2s in the case of Sundborn and McCormick and 3g in the case of Rowlands, had since been paid up. ‘ ‘ I understand that the gas company has had considerable trouble during the year owing to the interference with meters and some difficulty in collecting the money from those defaulting,” said the detective. Sundborn, ho added, was serving a term of imprisonment at present, but it was the first time that the two women had been in Court.

In imposing th e fine Mr. Salmon said that it was true that the amounts involved were small, but he had had a number of cases before him of a similar nature. He therefore imposed the fine as a deterrent to others.

In default of payment seven days’ imprisonment will be imposed. Defendants were allowed 14 days in which to find the money.