THEFT BY YOUNG WATERSIDER

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 149, 19 March 1921, Page 9

THEFT BY YOUNG WATERSIDER

PILFERING FROM SHIP’S CARGO

“The wharf is a bad place for a young man. ,He had no right there. He should have been doing regular and constant work,” remarked Mr. F- K. Hunt, in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, in dealing with the case of William Frederick Clough, a youth who was charged with stealing 6 ladies’ singlets and 3 bottles of malted milk, the property of the New Zealand and. African Steamship Company; also with the theft of 21b. of tobacco and 4 packets of cigarettes, the property of the same company. ChiefDetective Ward prosecuted, and Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell appeared for the accused, who pleaded guiltyThe chief detective said that the stolen goods had been found in the lad’s room. Recently from oiie (steamer the Northumberland, there had been stolen 25,000 cigarettes and 1251 b. of tobacco, and the position relative, to waterside pilfering was very serious. It was hard io account- for the absence of these portions of the cargo. For the accused, counsel elected to call the lad’s father to give evidence, prior to pleading extenuation. Witness stated that his son had been living with him until a slioht time before the theft, and had been an extremely well-bkhaved boy. “He was a good lad,” explained Mr. Treadwell. "As everyone knows, thieving goes on at the wharves; and when the boy found himself among the hardened criminals who are found there he was not able to withstand temptation.” Counsel leaded for leniency on the ground of accused’s youth. "You see, this case js different from the usual run,” he said to the Magistrate. "I know I do,” said Mr. Hunt, 'but what am I to do? ... I have never yet sent a young man to gaol for his first offence, but in this case, if I let him off every wharf thief in Wellington will demand similar treatment. "They couldn't tell the same story,” said counsel. "I don’t know what ihey might tell! relied Mr. Hunt.

After the probation officer bad been communicated with. His Worship decided to grant two years’ ■nrohntion, one of the conditions being that the convicted youth should not work on the wharf. "You go now and thank Mr. Trendwell for his defence.” said Mr. Hunt. "You should be grateful to him.” Tn the crowded conrt room, Clough walked across to his counsel and shook hands with him.