POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 23680, 13 September 1940, Page 9

POLICE COURT

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, (Before Mr H. W. Bundle. S.M.) W ATERSIDER SENT TO GAOL. Christopher Harris (44), who was represented by Mr C. J. L. White, pleaded guilty to receiving 19 hanks of sausage skins, valued at £7, the property of Henry Berry and Co., knowing them to have been stolon. Detective-sergeant Hall, who prosecuted, said that the accused was working in the hold of a steamer which was unloading at Dunedin. During the day a watchman saw 10 casks of sausage casings being unloaded, and noticed that one cask had boon stove in. It was mended, and two days later the casks were delivered to the consignees, Henry Berry and Co., it then being discovered that 19 hanks of casing had been removed from the damaged barrel. The accused approached two men in an hotel and asked them if they would try to sell some sausage skins for him. One of the men had made arrangements to sell them at Henry Berry and Co.’s, where a storeman saw that they were identical with those stolen from the barrel. On this man being interviewed, ho stated that he was selling them for Harris. When the accused was interviewed ho denied all knowledge of the skins, but subsequent inquiries showed that he was associated with them all the way through. Mr White said the accused was emphatic that he had nothing to do with the stealing of this quantity of sausage skins. He had been working on the waterfront for 25 years. He was foolish enough to act as a go-between and to endeavour to sell the skins. The whole thing was amateurish, for the man who tried to sell the skins for the accused took them to their owners. “ Charges of this nature cannot be considered lightly,” said the Magistrate. “ Men who are working on the wharf are in a postiion of trust, and dishonesty throws suspicion on a large number of honest men.” The accused was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment. FINES IMPOSED. For casting, offensive matter in a public place, Richard John Kinney and Kenneth Fitzgerald Warnock were each fined 30s and costs. CHARGE DISMISSED. A charge against James Andrew Tweedie of casting offensive matter in a public place was dismissed, subject to payment of court costs (10s), MOTORISTS CHARGED. For driving without care and attention Hugh Cameron Murray was fined £2 and costs (Ids).—On a further charge of being au unlicensed driver he was fined £1 and costs (10s). Harold James Hope was fined 5s and costs for being in charge of an unlighted motor car. John Henry Clulee, an unlicensed driver, was fined 5s and costs. For failing to carry warrants of fitness Eric John Smart and Robert Barr Smythe were each fined 10s and costs For operating an unlicensed heavy traffic vehicle Henry Thomas Haines was fined £2 16s Bd, with costs (10s). John Adamson was fined 10s and costs for operating a motor vehicle without having a w'arrant of fitness. FAILURE TO PAY LEVY. Convictions only were entered against William Bennett on two charges of failure to pay instalment levies. OYSTER COMPANY FINED. Fresh Oysters Ltd. pleaded guilty to selling tinned oysters containing boric acid, the addition of which was a breach of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act ; ud to selling packages not having marked or attached on them a label of particulars as required l by the Sale of Food and Drugs Act. On the first charge the company was fined £3, with costs (10s), analyst’s fee (13s 2d), and solicitor’s fee (£2 2s) ; and on the other was convicted and ordered to pay costs (10s) and solicitor’s fee (£2 2s).

ALLEGED BREACH OF BY-LAW. James R. Stephens, who was represented by Mr E. J. Anderson, pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving cattle through Green Island without an attendant preceding them. Mr D. A. Solomon appeared on behalf of the informants, the Green Island Borough Council—Legal argument was heard, and the court adjourned until the afternoon.