CASE OF PILLAGING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1959, 1 April 1919, Page 3

CASE OF PILLAGING.

TERM OF HAIM) LABOUR IMPOSED.

A young man named Ralph Harding pleaded guilty at the Wellington. Magistrate’s Court on Monday to a charge of stealing live ladies’ singlets, and three pairs of stocking*!, valued at £l, the property of the Wellington Harbour Board. Acting Sub-Inspector .Emerson said that as the man was coming away from the King's Wharf ahon'j 5 p.m. on Saturday, he was intercepted by Constable Cosgrove, who told him Unit he had reason to believe that he had stolen goods in his possession. Harding replied that lie had some articles which he had found in the shed, and when taken back to the shed produced three woollen singlets which he had wrapped round his body. He declared that he had nothing else in his possession, lint when he was searched at the police station two more singlets and the three pairs of stockings were brought to light. Harding was a casual employee, and had only started work in the shed at 1 p.m. on Saturday. An examination was made in the wharf shed, and a hale of goods was found to have been broken open and goods corresponding to (hose found on accused to lie missing from it. “I suppose,’’ said Mr E. V, Eraser, S.M., "that the man had borne a good character previously, otherwise the Harbour Board would not have taken him into their employ as a casual hand, for I take it that enquiries are made before a man is so taken on.’’ It was stated, however, that enquiries were not made as to (he credentials of men employed by the day. The man had worked for the board on previous occasions. A sentence of six weeks’ imprisonment with hard labour was imposed.