PILLAGED CAEGO

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 44, 21 February 1930, Page 4

PILLAGED CAEGO

WATERSIDER PINED

"I think a fine will have to be-imposed in this case. The offence involves pillaging by some one," said Mr. E. Page, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court to-day when convicting William George Reed, aged 41, on a charge of stealing' two pairs of ladies' knickers valued at 6s, the property of the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Co., Ltd. Mr. W. E. iieicester appeared for Reed, yho pleaded guilty. "

Chief Detective Lopdell said that, the accused was working' on the Tamaroa on Tuesday nig Tat, and when he was leaving the hold he was seen by an officer to be carrying something. The officer went after the accused, who apparently became afraid and started to run. Along the accused's track the knickers were found. The accused at:'first said that he had not taken the goods, but later admitted having stolen them. The case from which the knickers had been stolen had -been tampered with, and several other pairs had also gone. The accused, concluded the chief detective, had been working on the waterfront for a number of years, and had never previously been charged with any offence. He had a wife and five children.

'Mr. Leicester said that the accused's wife was very ill at the present time. Seeing the knickers lying around he had,taken them in order to give his wife a present, as he had been unable to give her any little luxury while she had been sick, on account of bringing up his large family.

Reed was fined £10, in default one month's imprisonment. One month was allowed in which to find the money.