Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(Aus./N.Z.US) to steal, to pilfer.

[c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Salvages Barbarous People, Inhabiting near the Sea-Coasts in the Maritim Countries, who make a Prey of what the Sea has (in Pity) spared, Living up on the Spoil of Ship-wrecks].
1941		Baker Popular Dict. Aus. Sl. 63: Salvage, to: to steal, purloin.
1949		Monteleone Criminal Sl. (rev. edn).
1988		(ref. to WWI) McGill Dict. of Kiwi Sl. 96/1: salvage scrounge or steal; WWI Anzacs, later general.
2003		McGill Reed Dict. of N.Z. Sl. [as cit. 1988].