PILLAGE ON WHARVES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 231, 18 June 1918, Page 6

PILLAGE ON WHARVES

> FINES OF NO USE WATERSIDE WORKER SENT TO GAOL 'Tines, have not fulfilled tlioir object and pillaging still takes place," observed Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, S.M., at the Magistrate s Court yesterday, in a cas6 m which a waterside worker, named Edward Mitchell, pleaded guilty to a char"o •of having stolen on June 12 four packels of dried peaches, valued at 45., the property of the Wellington Harbour Board. Inspector Marsack, who prosecuted, stated that on tho day in question'Mitchell was seen leaving a Harbour Board shed, and it was noticed by Constable' Cleverly that ho was actin:,' in a rather peculiar manner. Constable Cleverly followed accused to his destination, searched him, and found a box of dried peaches in his poisession. Although the value of the article taken was very small, tho offence was a serious one. "These offences arc assuming very iurgo proportions," added the inspector.

Mr. H. l f . O'Leary, who appeared for Mitchell, emphasised tho small value of the stolen articles. Mitchell was not a married man, and tho goods wero of no use to him. Ho had worked on the wharves for thirteen years, and this was the first time any offence had been charged against him. Tho case was one for lenient treatment. In urging the extension of leniency to Mitchell, Mr. O'Leary remarked that the probation officer, Mr. Mills, had told him it was his> experience that 'when loniency was granted to a person the guilty ono made gocii ajul never appeared before the Court again. Hi 9 Worship remarked that pillage from ivTiams and ships was very common indeed, so common, in fact, that in tho minds of some people it was not considered as theft at all. Fines had not'fulfilled their object, and pillaging still took plrtle. "I can only say this, that" I should lie wanting in my dirty unless I indicted a term of imprisonment," observed Mr! M'Carthy.

Accused was sentenced to one month's imprisonment.