FORMIDABLE LIST

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21178, 30 July 1940, Page 8

FORMIDABLE LIST

TRADESMAN FROM AUSTRALIA SELECTED BY GOVERNMENT (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Monday “In all my experience I have never seen a more formidable list than that of accused. He has served about half his lifetime in prison in Australia and has been declared an habitiual criminal,” said Senior Detective P. Doyle in the Magistrate’s Court in regard to William Crofts, bricklayer, aged 54, who pleaded not guilty to the theft of a radio set. He was found guilty and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with hard labour. Counsel said Crofts had not been convicted since 1932. He was a bricklayer and was brought to New Zealand by the Government 18 months ago. The Magistrate: It seems the Government is not very careful. It should have looked into his antecedents.

MAILBAG FROM TRAIN

FORMER PORTER IMPRISONED (By Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Monday Daniel Healy McKenzie, a former railway porter, was sentenced to three months’ hard labour by Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., for the theft of a mailbag at Arthur’s Pass. The police said McKenzie was travelling by train from Greymouth td Christchurch, and at midnight went to the guard’s van and took the bag. He left the train and opened the bag, finding a cheque and postal notes, which he later cashed. He hid the bag and burned the remainder ot its contents, later going to Auckland, where he was arrested.