THEFTS OF WEATHER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 274, 15 August 1919, Page 9

THEFTS OF WEATHER

p MILLER ADMITTED TO PROBATION BOOTMAKERS FINED £20 FOR RECEIVING Mr. B. Page, S.M., yesterday entered convictions against Archibald Miller and tho three men who were charged with receiving-from him certain leather that they knew had been stolen. The trio charged with receipt, of the goods wero William Kmery, Angel Saul, and James Lancelot Toonier, all bootmakers in business in Wellington. Miller took tlib leather from the factory of R. Hannah and Co., where ho was employed. In passingi sentence upon Miller, tho Magistrate said that, he would admit tin. accused to probation. Miller had had a struggle. He had had a lot of sickness and his wire was sick. Moreover, lie was the father of young children, The term of his probation would bo three vears. Miller: Thank you, Your Worship. I'll do my best to lead nu honest life. Emery's case was called. Mr. Page said that in it and in tho cases of Toonier and Saul as well, he would enter a. conviction. Tho wholo question in those cases of receiving had resolved itself into one of guilty knowledge. Ho thought that knowledge had been established bv the ovidence adduced. The evidence disclosed circumstances from which tho Court could infer that tho men believed the goods were stolon. Mr. H. F. o'l.ea.ry asked for olemency for Emerv and Toonier. Ho referred to tho good' character borne by both men before thev committed the offence of which they had iust been convioted. • . Detective-Sergeant Mason, called by Mr. o'Lea.ry, stated: "I hove known Toonier for 10 years. This is the. first time ho has been in trouble. •. . . I know nothing whatever against him, .and I am surprised to see him tako a. risk such as no has taken in this case." . Mr. C. 8.. O'Donncll. entered a plea for leniencv on behalf of Saul. The -Magistrate fined each of tho Hires men .£2O. ' Ho fixed tho alternative to pavmont of the lino at one month's im. prisonment, and ho allowed, one month for' payment