MOST DISTRESSING CASE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 148, 8 June 1935, Page 6

MOST DISTRESSING CASE

Theft Due to Poverty MAN HELPING HIS WIFE .By Tslearaph-Piew Association.’ AUCKLAND, June 8. An unemployed returned soldier of unblemished character who stole_ in order that his wife might have a singlet and a new pair of soles for her shoes received the sympathy of the magistrate when he appeared in the Magistrate’s Court on a shop-lifting charge. Accused, whose name the magistrate ordered to be suppressed, pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing a singlet, a pair of rubber soles and a tie, of a total value of 7/11, the property of Woolworths store in Karangahape road. Senior-Sergeant Hall said the case was a most distressing one. On May 31 Detective Gillum was called to the shop, where accused, who had been detained, frankly admitted the theft of the articles., which, were all recovered.

“This man has a wife and two children aged five years and 10 months,” said-Mr Hall. "He is unemployed and is on sustenance receiving £1 9/- per week. Out of that he has been paying 14/- per week as rent for two basement rooms. There are few articles of furniture in the house and the bed consisted of an old wire mattress stretched across some boxes. The mattress itself was practically useless and valueless foi; warmth. They had hardly any bedclothes and very' little food. In fact, the family had been living principally on vegetables.” “They have been able to afford only 2d worth of milk daily for the 10-month-old baby. Accused’s wife has been doing her best under adverse circumstances and the place was found clean and tidy. Accused has never been in any trouble before, and he says he stole the singlet for his wife and the soles in order that he might resole her shoes. Police inquries show that he even sold his working boots in order to try and keep his home together.” The Rev. G. E. Moretoh described the case as an extremely sad one. “This man cannot be expected to keep his wife and two children on a few shillings a week,’’ he said. “His wife’s health is bad. His character is beyond reproach and" he is a returned soldier with a particularly fine war record. I am quite sure that this lapse has occurred because of the economic position of the country.” Mr Moreton added that his society was now. assisting the family and another minister had also agreed to help. “The circumstances of this case are really sad and distressing,” said Mr W. R. McKean, S.M. “I propose to take a course which I do not usually take in shoplifting eases by adjourning the charge until December 6.” Addressing accused, Mr McKean said: “Something will be done to assist you.' It is most unfortunate that you should be here on such a charge.’’

The men’s wear section at Baird’s is bigger than most men s wear shops in the district and enjoys the advantage of ,two separate entrances. It is so distinct and sell-contained that the most self-conscious customer is unaware that he is in a portion of the building in which the rest of the business is carried on, but in his purchases he reaps all the benefits of the huge buying organisation in London by which first choice of all the latest styles, innovations and values are obtained. Baird’s Home buyers are in daily touch with all the leading manufacturers of clothing, mercery and hats. There is nothing new, of any moment, that Baird’s arc unaware of, and this fact is revealed in their stocks and raluee.