A MEAN THEFT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1115, 28 June 1913, Page 2

A MEAN THEFT.

CONVICTED AND DISCHARGED.

At the local S.M, Court yesterday morning before Mr J. W. Poynton S.M., Robert Henderson, charged by the police with the theft of clothes the property of F. W. Gardes, of the Family Hotel, on the 25th inst,, pleaded guilty and explained that in coming down from Palmerston, on Tuesday night, he got off the wrong side of the train, and in wandering along he walked over the wharf. He swam to the piles of the wharf, but found them too slippery to climb up. He called for assistance and some Maoris helped him into a boat. He then became unconscious. ■ He was taken to the Family Hotel, ‘'came round” after being placed in a hot bath. They gave him refreshments and a suit of dry clothes, his own being taken away to dry. When he awoke the next morning, he did not recognise his surroundings, but dressed and left the hotel, proceeding to one of the mills. He subsequently noticed that the clothes, hat and boots he was wearing were not his own. In answer to the Magistrate the accused said he did not attempt to sell any of the wearing apparel. The police said had he sold the clothes he would have been naked.

The Magistrate said the accused brobably did not intend to commit theft, but technically he was guilty of an offence. The police then handed the Bench a list of previous convictions against accused, and mentioned that his last conviction for theft was at Palmerston about eleven days ago when he received seven days hard labour. The police pointed out that the theft was a particularly mean one, in view of the kindness extended to the accused; The Magistrate said he would convict and discharge the ac cussed conditionally on his paying expenses in connection with his arrest. The Magistrate said there was no doubt the man had been suffering from the effects of drink otherwise he would not be iu his present plight.