STOLEN ELECTRICITY

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3661, 5 July 1927, Page 3

STOLEN ELECTRICITY

MAN AND SON FINED,

Auckland, July 2. A charge of stealing electricity \ alued at £2 13s 4d the property of the Auckland Power Board was preferred against Charles Carpenter and his son Sydney Carpenter in the Police Court.

Chief Detective Cummings said Sydney Carpenter, who was an elec-

tric linesman had attached flex to the waterheating circuit which was charged for on the flat rate, and did not register. The power stolen was used for heating a room. The system had been operating for some time.

“The offence is difficult to detect and the Power Board has decided to prosecute in every case,” he said, no £[o.i o; uosoip suq p.uioy aqj, the honesty of the public- and to supply the service at a minimum cost, and if the offence does not decrease, imprisonment will be asked for.”

Mr. Dickson who appeared for the Carpenters, said the ftther had been out of work for some time. It was the son who conceived the idea during his father’s absence in Wellington. “These people have very

little money and their circumstances were such that they committed the offence out of sheer necessity” said Mr. Dickson.

The Magistrate, Mr. R. W. McKean lined accused £5 each and ordered them to make restitution to the Power Board.