“MOONLIGHT AND ROSES"

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12618, 1 December 1926, Page 6

“MOONLIGHT AND ROSES"

THEFT FROM BOTANICAL GARDENS FLOWERS, A RUG—AND GAOL. “Moonlight and roses Bring wonderful memories of you.’* So run the words of a popular song in which roses play a big part. They also played a big part in the doings of Frederick George Lambert, aged 58, who was charged at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday with having stolen roses to the value of £l, the property of the City Council, irom the Botanical Gardens last* Friday night. The moonlight also played a prominent part, for it was under its cover that the roses were taken. Lambert was also charged with wilfully damaging flowers and flower beds at the Botanical Gardens to tho extent of £5. Accused pleaded “not guilty” to both charges. Evidence was given by Constable Isbister to the effect that he caught Lambert in the gardens with the roses in his possession. Subsequent inquiries made by the witness in regard to the value of the roses brought forth the information that the blooms were worth from 4d to Gd each. The roses were then produced in court, but as thev had been plucked beneath the light of last Friday s moon, and as yesterday was Tuesday, they were looking decidedly wilted. Henry Moss, foreman of the Botanical Gardens, said that for four nights he had noticed that the roses and flower beds bail been tampered with. Paivy and violet plants haiC also been pulled out. One month’s imprisonment was posed by the magistrate, Mr J. Salmon. Lambert was also charged witfc stealing on November 17th a “Kaiapoi” rug valued at tho propertv of Nettie MncKny. The rug was reported missing from a house in Kelhurn and was later seen in a secondhand simp. When Lambert sold it he gave a false name and address For this offence, accused was sentenced to throe months’ imprisonment with hard labour e