TWO TINS OF MUTTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 307, 30 December 1942, Page 3

TWO TINS OF MUTTON

STOLEN FROM SHIP’S HOLD i C ARPENTER FINED AT NEW . PLYMOUTH I (P.A J New Plymouth, Dec. 29 On a charge of the theft of two tins of coined mutton, valued at ten shillings, from a ship at New Plymouth, Albert Edward Reesby. a carpenter, who pleaded guilty in the Police Court this morning, was convicted and lined £l5. Two attache cases were found in the shelter deck of the ship by one ol the officers at an early hour this morning. In one there was a leg 01 mutton that Lad been cut from a cai--1 case, and in the other a thermos flask and two tins of mutton. A constable set a watch and later saw accusec have a secretive look around and then take a coat away. He returned latex and opened one of the attache cases and took out the tins of mutton. The constable accosted him, and he admitted taking the meat from an open case in the hold of the ship. Senior-Detective C. Jarrold, whe conducted the prosecution, said the police took a serious view of the offences. as they were difficult to detect and there had been a good dea of complaints of cargo pillaging ir tn? c « iy lately. In imposing the fine, the presiding Justices sain they realised the seriousness of the offences. In this case they appreciated what accused said, that Je acted on the spur of the moment. ; that he really had no need of the ! goods, and regretted his act. They ! hesitated to inflict a term of imprison- : ment, but had to inflict a penalty that would be a punishment to him and a warning to others.