WORSE THAN THE THIEF.

NZ Truth, Issue 97, 27 April 1907, Page 4

WORSE THAN THE THIEF.

A SAILOR'S ENCOURAGEMENT

OF CRIME.

Received the Proceeds of a

Boy's Burglaries.

Dr. McArthur Makes Him Smarh

Receivers of stolen property are not too i often brought before the courts, and it ought to be a question for the police to answer satisfactorily why they are not as the receiver is ten times worse than the thief, and if receivers only sot a quarter of their dues the thief's profession would not be so swelled out as it is. Yesterday, at the S.M.s Court, Dr. McArthur had a receiver of stolen property before him, and being convinced of his guilt, as must every one who heard or reads the evidence, sentenced him 'to six months' imprisonment on two charges and said he would have plenty of time to reflect on the consequences of encouraging a boy to thieve The thefts were committed by a boy aiamed Godfrey Powell at Seatoun, and for his share of the transaction he got *" A BIRCHING- ON THE BOTTOM and given a severe talking to and .a threat of going to the Buwiham "Reformatory if he , ever offepded again. The proceeds of these thefts, committed on Aprillß and 20, we're gold rings . valued m all at about £i' 6, and. & nice story was told by. the lad, who gave evidence against the accuseds who is a' seaman and is named David William Harvey, a<nd who had worked on the s.s. Cobar which journeys between Wellington and Se'atoun. The boy admitted having burgled the promises of one Max Kreissig and Wm. MoG-ill from which he had stolen the rings. These he gave to Harvey for a cheap gun-metal watch and Harvey wanted to know where he got them and the boy untruthfully replied "at home."Having got the jewellery m his"gra"bH bears" Harvey thanked the boy and bound Mm over to silence assuring the boy if the transaction '• became known there would foe trouble for them. Moreover, it came out that there were, a- lot of transactions of this kind. The boy had given Harvey cigarette cases, leatHer pouches, and a'waterhury watch for which he had received a pair of sea , boots, an oil skin ' over-coat and a pair 1 of sleeve links. After 'jShe boy was arrested . HE "PEACHED" ON HARVEY and Detective Rawle got on the sailor's track and located him at Blenheim and subsequently arrested him J and tpiok custody of the rings which were m the keeping of the steward of the s.s. Blenhiem. Haryey made and signed a at the Defcecti (reoffice m which he admitted recahing, a blood-stained signet ring, a. diamond, ring, an opal ring and another gold ring for which -'he . gave tiie youn? prig a (gun metal watch. The 'boy was aslcud if he had stolen theu. turn said he bad not and Harvey said "If you have it means a lot of trouble for you and me." He fmrtiher admitted exchanging a pair of seaboots an oil-akin coat and a pair of sleeve links -for other things from the boy. . Dr. McArthur : Have you any questions to ask. . . Harvey : No. '* .: Dr. McArthur.: You're a bit quicker • taking: things than asking questions. ■>••■■. Harvey next said the oilskin coat was worth 14 s Gd, and that he had only exchanged the things with the boy. < Dfr. McArthur : You oall it a fair swaji. Harvey : Yes. I told him if he had stolen them THERE WOULD BE TROUBLE and I did not want any. Dr. McArthur : Where did you imagine this boy got these things from? He is a newspaper boy. ~ Harvey: I can't tell you. Dr. McArthur : You did not want to know. '' Harvey : I didn't go into that at all. Dr. McArthur : It's very evident you did* not. Harvey : Well, that's all I have t o say about it. Dr. McArthur : And there is hot much m what you say. The Magistrate very sternly reminded Harvey that if he had at the first 'insisted on knowing where the boy had got the things, the cigarcase n-I 'ither things, he would have stopped Powell from gome; on committing crime. Instead of giving information he took everything shah the young rascal brought along, and encouraged him m his crimes. Harvey :, I didn't encourage him. Dr. McArthur : You will have six months an. each charge, and you will have plenty of time to think over it.