WHARF PILFERER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 799, 21 October 1929, Page 11

WHARF PILFERER

STOLE CLOTHING FROM SHIPS’ HOLDS

GAOL FOR ONE MONTH When his home was searched in regard to one suspected theft Arthur Ernest Coham was found to be in possession of other stolen property. At the Police Court this morning he was sentenced to a month’s imprisonment. Coham, a labourer aged 44, appeared for sentence on a charge of stealing 13 dress lengths valued at £6 10s and belonging to the Union Steam Ship Company, on October 11. To a further charge of stealing five pairs of socks valued at ss, the property of Stanley Caro, accused pleaded not guilty. Stanley Caro said that the socks found in Coham’s home were identical with a line imported by his firm. A consignment of the socks had arrived on the Makura on September 10 and one case had been marked pillaged, there being 28 pairs stolen. As far as witness knew his was the only firm in Auckland to import that particular line. A timekeeper from the Union Steam Ship Company said that Coham had been working in the hold of the Makura on September 10 and 11 when the vessel was discharging cargo. Detective-Sergeant McHugh said that the socks had been found in accused’s house at Northcote. Accused’s explanation was that he had bought £6O worth of material a year ago, including the socks. He could not remember where he had bought them. Chief-Detective Hammond said that accused had previous convictions, including breaking and entering and theft, and receiving in 1921. There were convictions for obscene language and drunkenness. Accused was a married man. The dreSs materials had been stolen from the Maungamii.