THEFT OF A TANK.

Shannon News, 3 October 1922, Page 3

THEFT OF A TANK.

A SHANNON CASE. At the Police Court, at Palmerston yesterday, Joseph W„ Moffatt was charged with having stolen a benzine tank, which was part of a Wizard lighting outfit, and the property of De Luen and Co., Shannon. Senior-Sergeant Fraser conducted the case for the police, and Mr G. 1. McGregor appeared for the accused.

Evidence of the loss of the tank, .and of its subsequently being found on the premises of the defendant, was given by Charles Sawyer, a partner of the firm of De Luen and Co., and Constable McGregor deposed that Moffatt had stated that he had bought the tank from a man whom he described. Tile constable did not- recognise the description given.

Accused stated in evidence that he had said in his hairdressing saloon that he needed a tank. A man who was a stranger to him told him he could obtain one for 30/, and the price being agreeable, accused bought the tank. After the article was connected up for lighting purposes, the police came to make inquiries concerning a. tank which had been stolen. To Senior-Sergeant- Fraser: He had known the man from whom he bought the tank for about three weeks, lie had beard rumours of a tank having been stolen, and to save suspicion being directed tot himself he sent his tank to Tokomaru so as to be able to say he had received it by rail. He had been convicted of theft about 16 years ago, but had no convictions against him since that time.

In giving judgment, his Worship said he would overlook the previous conviction, but from the .evidence there seemed to be no doubt that, the ■tank in accused’s possession was the one which had been stolen. On being asked where (he had obtained it, the usual explanation had been given: •‘He had bought- from a man whom he did not '"know.” Accused did not know the man, and the obvious conclusion was that Moffatt stole it himself. Accused would be convicted and admitted to probation for a period of two years. The price of a new tank, £5 6/, was ordered to be paid to De Luen and Co., and costs totalling £2 5/G, at tlie rate of £1 per month.