Gold-Stealer Sentenced
pp. 67-68 · Read in the full issue
A Belgian, named Charles Jansen, who had been employed on BGD Dredge No. 3, at Bulwa, in the Bulolo Valley, in New Guinea, was charged before the Circuit Court in Wau early in April with the theft of a quantity of gold amalgam, valued at £55. It appears that the police made a surprise visit to the dredge on March 6, and thence accompanied Jansen to Bulolo, where his house was thoroughly searched. Inspector Haviland found a jar hidden in the house and this contained the gold. Jansen said he had found the jar under the house when he first oc cupied it.
Jansen was found guilty on two counts: (1) stealing as a servant, for which there is a penalty of 7 years, and (2) being in possession of gold unlawfully, for which a three years’ penalty is provided. The Court, however, for some reason best known to itself, imposed a penalty of only 15 months’ imprisonment in each charge, the sentences to be concurrent.
Are Sentences Too Light?
It is likely that a strong protest will be made to the authorities in connection with this matter. The small penalties imposed on gold-stealers by minor Courts in New Guinea have been a source of exasperation to the gold companies, who are put to much trouble and expense to guard against gold-stealing.
In 1934, for instance, in New Guinea, six different men were found guilty of gold-stealing. Three who were dealt
with by the Supreme Court received sen tences respectively of 4i, U and 2| years; but three who were sentenced by a minor Court received only 2, 3 and 3 months respectively.
Mr. A. E. Fuller, of the Fiji Post and Telegraph Department, returned to Suva recently after a visit to Pitcairn Island in connection with the opening of the new post office there.
Mr. V. Bulgin. of Carruthers, Farram and Co., Sydney buying agents for New Guinea Goldfields Ltd., recently paid a brief visit to Wau, New Guinea.
Rev. William and Mrs. Wiedemann, who are well-known workers for the Melanesian Mission at Sag Sag, New Britain, TNG, are at present in Sydney on furlough.
Mr. St. Elmo Murray, formerly a lay brother (engineer) in the Marist Order for many years but who was living in retirement in Suva, Fiji, died recently, aged over 70.