PICK-POCKETS IN AUCKLAND

Wairarapa Age, 26 February 1927, Page 5

PICK-POCKETS IN AUCKLAND

FOR ROYAL VISIT. TWO RETURNED TO AUSTRALIA. AUCKLAND, February 25. Described by Chief-Detective' Cummings as professional pick-pockets, Henry Morton, aged 311, an.l George Harris, aged 28, appeared in the Police Court for sentence on charges of vagrancy. Chief-Detective t'umminbs sin I the two men admitted that thef canie to the Dominion to pick pockets during the Royal visit. .Morton had a number of previous convictions, and

was senteneed to six months’ imprisonment last year. He was a prohibited immigrant. Harris had also been run victed as a pick-pocket. The men wore natives of Australia and stat' d that ’l' given a chance they would go back by the Ullmaroa, sailing later in the dav. Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M.: “There is no evidence of the eoniniission of any offence!”

Chief-Detective Cummings: “No.” The Magistrate warned the accused that they were liable to a sen:, nee of three months’ imprisonment on the present charge, and if charged with being prohibited immigrants would be liald" to a fine of £lOO, imprisonment for six months, and deportation. teeused were convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. Thev were directed to be’kept in custody until their steamer sailed for Australia. A further remand for a week was granted in the rase of William Grad., alias Whitehall, aged 37, and James O'Neill, alias Hid Morgan, aged 46, «. , wore described by the Chief Deteerixe a. international criminals and profos sional pickpockets. Thee vicqsly pleaded guilty to ronsortii. - with reputed thieves.' Chief-Detect ■' ", Cummings added that further inquiries were being made.—(P.A.)