THEFTS FROM WHARVES.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18235, 20 November 1924, Page 11

THEFTS FROM WHARVES.

AN AUCKLAND SERIES: • .' ' (PBESS ASSOCIATION ' TZLECBisi.) '' ' ;AU*3KJpAND, November 5 '19.v , At the .Magistrate's ,Court r Harold Cyril Howe Francis> aged-35, appeared on 26. charges of theft, of, goods valued at.-£il4 os .3d,r-''from-.'tho,wharves,, cuse'd, having -worked; in; ships, from which'goods were missed. ' Sergeant Mclnty're" said- that -in' consequence of-a message-, he went: to a'cr !- eused'3 house with; Constable •"' Backj and was let. in by accused's, wife! Witness. observed < a large quantity -of goods (produced) in .a-box on the-kit-chen floor, and on.questioning accused about.them, he said, he '.. got. three jugs and' tho- crockery from his. mother. Accused's wife then interposed-that his mother had'; been dead; .several 'years,' and added that the goods had boen pillaged by • her husband. She also added that even;the blankets' on tlip.bcds . were stolen, and had it .not been-for his thieving from' the wharves thoy would have been destitute. , In Court, Mrs Francis corroborated accused's • statement as to how he-be-eamo possessed of the goods, - and statj ed she had purchased the various '■'•'. articles of clothing produced. ' '■'''; .j - To counsel," she said she had a-'dis-agreement with her' husband, and had j informed'the:police that.if they .went.! to her home they would", find' . goods stolen' by, her. husband. -' Her. signed statement' to the police yvas She was very' much not. on oath when she made it. She j was bo upset 'Bhe could; not" remember What she said to Sergeant Mclntyrc.

Accused was convicted on thirteen charges, involving, £9 'l7s 6d, four of which: were admitted, the other thirteen being dismissed. ■ .-. : . : ' Sentence was deferred till to-mbr r row. •'. Bail was.refused. '