ABSENT-MINDED FOLKS.

Taihape Daily Times, 30 May 1918, Page 6

ABSENT-MINDED FOLKS.

The responsibilities of absent-mind-ed folk who take other people's hats and umbrellas ,the covetous souls who rake rubbish tips, the saving timberyard workman who gathers the odds and ends of timber refuse for the domestic furnace, were all lightly recallid by Judge Wasley the other day in Melbourne in his summing up to the jury in the Criminal Court in the case of David Heuburn, warrant officer in the Defence Department, who was charged with the theft of some old galvanised iron (the relics of a fowlhouse), an old wheelbarrow, a veteran overcoat, a toothless rake, a gun cover, and sundry articles of clothing, that, it was admitted by the prosecution, had been removed in vans, from time to time, in an open manner, and converted to domestic use. The whole point in such cases, his Honour impressed upon the jury, was the evidence, or lack of evidence, of a guilty mind. "Supposing, gentleman of the jury," Judge Wasley suggested, "you unconsciously walked off with another person's hat or umbrella, and subsequently were confronted with the theft, you would look very silly, would you not?" The jurors (reports the Age) nodedd with decision. "And, supposing,' 'his Honour continued, "a workman in a timber yard was charged with theft for taking home some old timber refuse that was going to waste, he would have no right to~take it. It, strictly sp~eaking, would belong to the 'Boss.' But, gentlemen, what jury would convict tha tman as a criminal?" The jury's retirement was of the briefest duration, and their verdict of "not guilty" was cheered by the assemblage of soldiers and others outside the Court.