SIX WEEKS' GAOL

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 23, 28 January 1938, Page 11

SIX WEEKS' GAOL

PUNISHMENT FOR THEFT

An unusual explanation Was offered by William Henry Gardiner, a cook, aged 49, when he was charged in the Magistrate's Court today, before Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., with the theft of a wicker basket and contents, of a total value of £1 16s 6d, the property of John Henry Meyer.

Sub-Inspector D. A.. McLean prosecuted. •

John Henry Meyer said that on January 20 his motor-car caught fire some time in the evening,, and he had it removed to a parking place in Taranaki Street. He identified a wicker basket and contents :as his property,and said that they had been left in the car. . . v •

At 6.15 a.m. on Friday-last, said Constable Williams,. he was on duty in Taranaki Street. On approaching a parking place he noticed a man behind a car, which had.been damaged by fire. He saw the man lift the door of the luggage compartment, and take from it a wicker basket and place it on the ground. He closed the rear of the car, and was in the act of picking up the basket when he was accosted. He said he was just having a look around, and the basket was no good to him. He stated he was just going to put it back again. From the witness box, the accused said that he was passing the parking place when he noticed the car, and thought what a shame it was to see a new car damageu so by fire. He went over to have a look at it, and the back was open. He pushed the basket aside to make a closer examination of the damage done. When the constable came up he (the constable) tried to put a wrestling hold on witness, who gave him his explanation at the time.. . . ; . . The constable was recalled, and said that he had seen the accused rummaging through the basket. A sentence of six weeks' imprisonment with hard labour was imposed.