LEFT WITH CLOCK

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 668, 21 May 1929, Page 1

LEFT WITH CLOCK

CHINESE HAS UNWELCOME GUEST STOKER IN COURT Being unable to extract any money from the Chinese on whom he forced his company yesterday, Vivian Benjamin left with the clock while his unwilling host was out looking for the police. "DENJAMIN, a stoker, aged 25, from H.M.S. Laburnum, was charged at the Police Court this morning with stealing an alarm clock valued at £1 from Sam Hop at Devonport. Mr. W. P. Fennell appeared for him and entered a plea of guilty. CommissionedGunner H. M. Thomas appeared for the ship. Mr. Fennell explained that Benjamin was under the influence of liquor. He had become involved in an argument with a Chinese, but remembered nothing of the occurrence. He had been arrested with the clock after the Chinese had called the police, and was quite candid about the affair. "It is Benjamin’s first appearance before the Court,” added counsel.

Sub-Inspector McCarthy had a different story to tell. His version was that Benjamin had gone through to the back of Hop’s shop and demanded money with which to buy beer. "The* Chinese said that he had no money and slipped out to ring up for the police,*’ said the sub-inspector. “Later Benjamin was arrested in an hotel. He had the clock under his tunic, but dropped it as soon as he saw the constable.” .

Mr. Fennell suggested that accused should be handed over to his ship for punishment, and Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., agreed, imposing costs only.