AUCKLAND SHOPS RAVAGED

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 310, 24 September 1921, Page 8

AUCKLAND SHOPS RAVAGED

MARRIED WOMAN ADMITS TWELVE CHARGES SEVERE COMMENT MADE BY MAGISTRATE A woman shoplifter who appeared before Mr. Poynton, S.M., at Auckland yesterday would have been sent to prison for a long term had it not been for the fact that she had an infant to look after. Under the circumstances, she was placed on probation for five years, and ordered to make restitution. By Telezranh—Press Association. Auckland, September 23. What were termed the “ravages'’ of a woman shoplifter were exposed in. tho Police Court to-day, when Florence Tapp, a married woman, aged 34, had twelve charges of Gieit preferred against her. The charges were that on various dates she stole one hat, valued at <£3 35., the property of E. S. Neale; one aluminium pan. and four and a half dozen saltspoons, valued at £3 19s. 1-ld., the property of Oswald James Melvern; one mole Coney capo, valued nt £l6 It’s., the property of Mesdames IVhittaker and Taylor; one ninon blouse, one crepe de chine blouse, ono georgette blouse, throe handkerchiefs, two yards and a quarter of lace, and one yard of ribbon, valued at £7 14s. Id., the property of George Court, Ltd.; one antimony jewel casket and one bowl, valued at £i 25., the property of Hart Bros.; one cream gabardine costume and two and a. half yards of flannel, valued at £l3 os. 6d., the property of Smith and Caughey; one gabardine coat, and one crepe de chine dressing gown, valued 1 at £lB 18s., the propert'v of Smith and Caughey; one artificial silk coat and one model hat. valued at £l2 9s. 9d., the property of Milne and Choyce; one leather writingcase, one suede scissors case, one silk and silver embroidery hanMug, one silk handbag, and ynirs of gloves, valued at £l6 7s. Id., the property of Milne and Choyce; one piece of Nurica fur, one yard of black silk net, one Indian lace bonnet, ono’pair c.f silk stockings, and five pieces of silk, valued at '£l3 3s. 35., the property of John Court, Ltd.; one black georgette jumper, and one grev satin hat, valued at ss. 6d., the property of John Court, I Ad. The total value of the stolen goods was set down at £ll9 6d. The accused pleaded guilty, and. a statement of her admissions was read. Mr. Dickson, who appeared for the accused, asked that the woman bo admitted to probation, as she had two children, one of whom was an infant at tho Tiroast, and her husband was a respectable, hard-working man. Restitution would be made; £2O down and 10s. a week.

Detective-Sergeant Hammond (prosecuting): The woman could not. have got all these goods without her husband knowing something about it. Mr. Poynton, S.M.: Her husband must either be very soft or else he winked at it. Detective-Sergeant Hammond said that the goods had all been worn, and were not, therefore, returnable. Mr. Poynton: Only for the baby we would send her io gaol. She fully deserves the longest sentence we could give her for raving the shops of the city as she has done. But, for the sake of the child, she would not be sent to .gaol. Sue will be placed on probation for the longest term—five years—and is ordered to make restitution; £2O down, and the remainder within twelve months. ’The goods must be returned to the owners. Detective-Sergeant Hammond: They have all been worn. Air. Poynton: Well, she should not ba allowed to keep them. Some of them may bo taken back, and the remainder, perhaps, sold as second-hand. The value can be deducted from the amount of restitution she has to pay.