LURE OF ORCHARD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 923, 17 March 1930, Page 1

LURE OF ORCHARD

TWO YOUNG MEN STEAL APPLES COST THEM £4 EACH Kven at the age of 22, the lure of the unguarded orchard is irresistable to some voung men, with the result that Haydn Nichols and Frederick Dean pleaded guilty to a charge of theft, at the Police Court this morning. They were each lined ~ 2 and ordered to make restitution of £4' between them. Nichols and Dean, both aged 22. were charged with stealing apples valued at ft from Kobirt Henry Man- at Oratia on February lt>. Mr. Sullivan appeared for them. According to Chief-Detective Hammond, Marr had an orchard at Oratia. L was well looked after and could not be mistaken for an abandoned holding. A neighbour saw one of the accused shaking trees and the other collectms apples in a bag. so he went over to investigate. There were 10 bags Jtt a motor-truck and the young men had explained that they were given Permission to take the apples. Mr. Sullivan said the accused were trying out a motor-truck. On arrival “t Oratia thev discovered that they tvanted water for the radiator. They then saw the apples and filled one bag only-. They had never been in trouble before and both had steady work. Counsel suggested that no conviction be recorded but that the accused be ordered to pay for what they had taken. Fines of £2 each were imposed by Mr. W. K. McKean, S.M.. and the accused were ordered to pay" restitution Ot £4 between them. Two weeks were allowed in which to find the money.