ALLEGED PILLAGING

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 271, 12 August 1919, Page 3

ALLEGED PILLAGING

HUSBAND AND WIFE CHARGED. Thomas Edward Ryan, a waterside worker, and Ellen Ryan, his wife, wero placed in the dock to answer the following' charges: —(1) Theft of a box containing five packets of gold gilt wire and one packet of silver rings, of a total valiib of .£l2 9s. 9d., tho property ot Percy Robert, of Paliuerston North; (2) alternately of receiving this property well knowing the same to havo been dishonestly obtained; (3) theft of M pairs of ladies' gloves, valued at .£l3, tho property of some person unknown; (<) alternately of receiving this property, well knowing same to liavo been dishonestly obtained. , Mr. P. S. If. Maeassey appeared for tho Crown, and Mr. P. J. O Regan for both accused. Mr, Joseph Rowlett was foreman of the jury. The facts of tho case were that Percy Robert was a military and naval embroiderer in business at Paliuerston North, and as far as was known he was the only man in New Zealand who earriod on such a business. In August, 1018, ho ordered in London a quantity of material, including gilt wire and trimmings, of a total value of Xl 2. Robert should havo received these goods early in the present, year, but the parcel did not turn up. On March 10 Robert received a communication from Madame li'oloy, costumier, stating that sho had been asked if she could dispose of some gold gilt wire. A sample was forwarded to Robert at. his, refjuest, and it was found to be similar in quality to that which lie expected from London. Robert knew tho goods had arrived in New Zealand, as he received an invoice from the Customs Department, duly stamped. The matter was placed in tho hands of tho police, and inquiries wero instituted by Detective-Sergeant Mason, who traced the goods to tho two defendants. When questioned on the matter, Mrs. 11 viin said that she had received tho goods from a Mrs. M'Donald, whom sho described, and gave her address as Adolaidr Road, but all inquiries proved fruitless. The invoice for tho parcels whs received through an English mail winch arrived by (ho steamer Port Lyttelton. On the day on which this mail arrived, Thomas Ryan was employed on tho Pott LylteTton handling malia.

The evidence for Iho Crown war. tiio snmo as that given in the Magistrate's Court, und was in support of counsel's statement. 'Tito case for tho Crown had not concluded when tho Court rose last evening.