HINDU AND NEGRO

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18896, 11 January 1927, Page 7

HINDU AND NEGRO

ALLEGED THEFT OF NOTES. "INTERPRETER NO GOOD." [THE PBESS Special Service] AUCKLAND, January 10. Because he considered that a Hindu who swore he would translate the English language into the Hindustani language and vice versa was unsuitable, Mr F., K. Hunt, S.M.; at the Police Court this morning, stood down a case to secure the services of a better man.

The case was one' in which George Bottles'(22), a coloured man, was charged with stealing &7, the property of a Hindu, by the name of Naroa Khana. Through the interpreter, Khana stated he worked at Pakuranga, and came into Auckland for the Christmas and New Year-celebrations. On New Year's Eve he was in a house in Grey street. Accused was also in the house and there was some music and some singing, in which several Americans and accused took part. Bottles pulled witness out of the room, and down the "house stepladder" (meaning the Btairs), and took the wallet out of his poeket, but later replaced it. That was about 8 p.m. At 2 a.m. the following day when he looked in his wallet for the money he found that a five pound note and two singles were missing. He had no occasion to go to his wallet between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m.

When Mr Dickson, who appeared for Bottles, started to cross-examine Khana through the interpreter things became very much involved.

"Stand the case down till to-mor-row morning," said Mr Hunt, "the.interpreter is no good. I don't know whether the witness or interpreter is giving evidence." Senior Detective Hammond, who prosecuted, said he had a very good interpreter, but ho was a witness in the case, and in fairness to Mr Dickson he did not wish to call him.

The case was then adjourned until to-morrow morning. In the meantime an effort will be made to obtain the services of an ex-Indian Army officer, who speaks Hindustani well.