Purloining from Trains.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7891, 5 August 1905, Page 3

Purloining from Trains.

A MAN CONVICTED. A respectably dressed mi*"^ 1 man named John Carmichacl, * n " stated he was a larmer in the Stratford district, was at the New Plymouth Police Court on Friday ehari;«d with the theft ol a walking stick, valued at £1 Is, from a reserved compartment of the mail express te- j tweet. Hawera and Stratford on Monday evening. The defendant, .whose deportment in Court caused Sergeant HatWrell to remark that, he Was under the influence ol drink, did not admit the charge, explaining that h,e only removed the stick from one carriage to another. Constable Woods, Who was in occupation of the reserved car With a man named C M Nrflkcy, the owner of the walking stick, stated that the theft occurred whilst they were away lor tea. He deposed as to the arrest ot the accused in possession of the stolen article. Accused was under the influence of liquor at the time. Evidence was also tendered by Robert Darling and Guard Bowrie, the latter stating that thefts from the carriages were a frequent cause of annoyance. Accused made a rambling ffUtement in defence. The S.M. said he had no doubt that the accused ■committed the thttt when affected by drink. As a first offender he would he fined 40s and the costs of the prosecution, in default two we«ks' imprisonment With hard labour. Accused, who appeared desirous of arguing the point, requested the S.M. to "hold on a bit," following this np with the query whether " His Lorrinhip" would not increase the penalty to £5, as he wanted to appeal. Informed that such a course would be nonsensical, the defendant, whose remarks were rather incoherent, iniirn»ted that he would pay the fine.