THEFT OF KEROSENE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 4, 7 September 1945, Page 5

THEFT OF KEROSENE

PAPER MILLS EMPLOYEE CHARGED ADMITTED TO PROBATION Pleading not guilty to the theft ol' a gallon of kerosene } the property of Whakatane Paper Mills, John Barbour Re id was sentenced by Mr ,E.. L. S.M. ? in the Whakatane Court last Tuesday to a term of six months' probation. On a further charge of failure to report the use of kerosene in his- car he was fined 20s and costs 10s. The Mill watchman James O'Connor in evidence stated that on April 1 he had accosted ,Reid who was carrying a gallon can of kerosene. When questioned he had admitted that he had taken it from the. Power House without a but said that it was his own property. Witness said that he had been asked to carefully watch that part of the Mill and had thought it strange that anyone could help themselves. The Mill W. B.* Rowan, outlined the procedure required of employees before any stocks were removed. A permit was always 'issued from the store and notices bad been put up to that effect. It was necessary to adhere strictly to this proprocedure as a considerable quantity of the company's stocks had been removed in the past. Defendant stated that he had been compelled through! ill-health to augment his petrol permit with kerosene in order to travel to and from his work. He had kept a four gallon tin in the power and helped himself from time to time when- he needed it. O'Connor had not seen him procure the kerosene and could not therefore say it was stolen. Sergeant Farrell said that when interviewed defendant admitted in a statement that he had used about 12 gallons of kerosene in his car. He also had 10 gallons at his home at the time. Later when questioned about this he claimed tfiat he had destroyed it. The Magistrate observed that in the absence of any explanation by the defendant the case must be considered proven. However he -\tould take note of the medical certificate handed in and would Sentence defendant to a probationary period.