DRINK AND THEFT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 154, 25 March 1919, Page 2

DRINK AND THEFT

ANOTHER PILLAGING CASE

HARBOUR BOARD CLERK SENT TO GAOL

"I know it becomes monotonous reitei.ating this excuse, but it does seem that in the majority of tho cases where men come before the Court; their offences are (hie to liquor." This statement wm nindc by Mr. H. i\ O'Leary .in u case heard nt the Magistrate's Court yesterday, whim « Harbour Hoard cinptojiso named Walter Mui> ton, a Main Body soldier recently returned from (ho front, was' charged with having stolon 11 pair of boots and a pair of shoes, of the value of ,M 10s.

Acting-Sub-inspector Emerson said that about 11.1(1 p.m., on Saturday Constable Cleverley snwthc iniui at the Tolls Office, when he was , 'lnindin<;in Ui.s keys. It was noticed that he seemed to be in nostession of something which did not befung to him, so lie was taken to the police station, where he admitted having stolen tho boots and shoes from one of' the Harbour Board's shells. He was somewhat under the influence of liquor at tho time. Before going away vitli the .Alain Body accused was in the board's service, and on his return lie wns reinstated at his, own request. 'He hnd borne (i good character previously. : t'uptnin A. V. Hale Monro, wharfinger to the Harbour Board..said he found that one of the cases in the .shed had been broached. • Ho also, found evidence of drinking having gone on in the shed. Accused was an assistant 'delivery clerk, ami was reinstated in the board's, ser-' vice about three weeks ago. On the night in question accused was responsible for the safety of the goods in the shed, l'revoiis tt> going away he borß'n very good chiiracter. .... : '.

In entering a plea of guilty Mr. O'Len'ry stressed the fact of Murtoii having borne a good phnractor previously, While in the Army, too, accused hail served without a blemish on his name. While on duty on Saturday accused had become partly intoxicated., .Counsel knew .that it became monotonous reiterating tho excuse, but it did seem that in tho majority of cases'the fact, of men being before'the Court was due to liquor. His Worship (smiling).:, The Alliance will tie getting you as.a lecturer, Mr. O'Leary.

llr. O'Leary: Oh, no, I never .try to hide orburk the facts.

"This.is a; case where one feels very loth to-bo hard on a man who has recently returned from the front after' having gone away with the Main Boijy,' more especially as I understand that hie character bofore he wont away was of the' best." said Mr. Frazer. "It is a case of cargo, broaching, not by watersidevs, but by a. member of the Harbour.Board's staff in c. position of trust." He could not. blink, at the-, facts,. and could not look upon -j;he fact of the man having been drunk a« an excuse. "We had authority-of Mr. Justice. ; Edwards just the other day," eaid His' Worship, "that a nian who will steal when lie is drunk' will steal when he is sober—the onlv thing ie he is more careful ahout it.' He-was sorry that he.-would have to impose a term of imprisonment. "The .cargo broaching difficulty "is a 'eerious one, and , the merchants 115 well as the Harbour Board and shipping companies aro in serious difficulties over the matter," added Mr. Frazer. "I don't say that it all goes on at this a great deal goss on at Home, But .-till, there is sufficient at this end to justify the Court in looking; upon the mutter'as a serious one whenever it conies before it" . •■ .. . ■■'■..■ Jfttrton was sentenced to a month s imprisonment. "That is letting you down as light as I can/ , said His Worship to defendant.' ,' , , \ ,