THEFTS FROM VESSELS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1926, Page 4

THEFTS FROM VESSELS

WATER SID K.US SENT TO GAOL. CHRISTCHURCH, July 27. Thefts of articles from broached or damaged cargo in ships at Lyttelton are growing, more serious, according to statements made in the Magistrate’s Court to-day, when two watersiders were sent to gaol. ; Thomas Bates, aged 44 years, wlio was represented by Mr J. B. Batchelor, pleaded guilty to stealing a woman’s costume, valued at £1 19s Cd, the property of the Shaw, Savill ancl Albion Company, at Lyttelton, on July 27tli. Chief-Detective T. Gibson said that the accused was a watorsider working on the Tainui, and he carried asTiore the article that he was charged with stealing. It was pillaged, but tho police did not say that lie stole it but merely that he carried it off tho ship. The chief-detective pointed out that the accused could have been charged under the Crimes Act, under which a penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment was possible. Things were so had at Lyttelton that the police intended to do so in future. The magistrate said that according to the chief-detective stealing on the wharf was rampant. Jt was an offence which it was easy to commit and difficult to detect. In the past offenders who had been convicted were sent to gaol, so that all knew what tire penalty for cargo thefts would be. In this case the accused would he convicted and sentenced to two months’ imprisonment with hard labour. Electric irons, stockings, and women’s garters had a fascination for the other wntersider, Frederick AVells, aged 25. He was charged with the theft”at Lyttelton on July 19th. of two electric I irons .valued at £.3 TO.s the property of flic I uion Steam Ship Company, and with stealing at Lyttelton on April IBth. 5.J pairs of stockings arid three women’s garters, valued at £1 7s 9d. the property of the. Shaw, Savill and Albion Company. The magistrate, in this case, said there was some evidence of systematic thieving on the part of the accused. On the first, charge he would he sentenced to one month, the sentences to'be cumulative. His wife and family could bo looked after by the Charitable Aid ; Boa id and social workers if necessary, added His Worship. * ’ i