THEFT OF LACE
THE MASTERTON CASE
HATCH FOUND NOT GUILTY
In the Suprtrao Court yesterday, before His Honour Mr. Justice Chupmuu and a jury of twelve, of which Mr. P. Mason wan ,loremun, Ella Dorothea Jioys, of Mast.ertou (llr. T. Jordan), and llupert Hatch Cilr. M. Myers) were charged will; theft at Maaterton. Tne aptcific charges were that Hoys stole eooda from lline» Harris- and Co. to the value of £11 2h. 9d., including a sports coat, 2 silk blouses, and 24 yards of lace; Hatch was also (jbarffed with the theft of tho articles. The female accused pleaded guilty to stealing the other articles mentioned in the indictment. Hatch, pleaded uot cuiUy on all counts.
For . tho Crown, Mr. P. 8. K. Macnssey stated that Hatch was a packer, who assisted in putting goods in a Bample room at Masterton. Kaiu, a comincrelal traveller, notiecd that a sports coat liad disappeared from the sample room; but on askinc Hatch was told that nothing was known about it. After tho disappearance of the iacc, inquiries were made, and the accused Boys had said that Hatch iiad given her the goods, which wero, found in her posßeasion. : The girl admitted having been in the Bample room with Hatch. Hatch would' not at first admit that the girl had been in tho sample room with him, but later did not deny that fact. Franclß Kain, a» commercial traveller, said that Hatch had been practically in charge of the sample rooms at jMustG-rton. Wituesß identified the lace ns stolen property. Hatch had denied having taken anyone else into the sample room. „ • \ Cross-examined by Mr. Myers, witucßß said he had known Hatch for a long time, and had found him absolutely honeßt and trustworthy. He was Btiil. employed at the rooms. There had never been uny reason to doubt his honesty. Tho girl had said she could not remember when sho bad been in the sample room with Hatch, but had admitted having taken the lacc. Ravine nut it in her pooket To Mr. Jordan: He had noticcd the loan of the goodß when taking a prospect! fe buyer through the sample rooms. Constable W. l'liillipa, of Masterton, said Hatch had appeared to "always be m a han.'v" when asked to give any luiorinalion'en the matter. Three weeks oeroro .Hitrh's arrest he said: "I'm not worrying about the matter. The lace had bevii found in a trmw ia Boyß b room, but the girl had said that Hatch, had given it to ncr Hutun did not give a. oMisfic£ory explanation of. this, but admitted having given tho girl on sundry occasions- bloußes aiul other articles. Cr )3s-esaniincd, witness admitted that lie assumed Hatch was the thief, but the latter would i:uf admit anything. Conetable Devinc gave evidence as to the accused's BUtement regarding the then of the lace. To Mr livers:' As far as witnesß Knew Hi'l'l; was in the lock-up when the girl was ir.ir-!'vii>«e:l The police had assumed that llatoh van guilty. Other police e\ iuf.ncc wan taken. Ella Dorothea. Boys, a (red 17 years, gave evidence as to having her rooms searched bv the police. When questioned she had admitted theft of the lace. Witness had known Hatch for a considerable time. Sho had taken the free behind Hatch# back. Before the theft, she had been in tho flample room'several times. _ Mr. Macassey: Why should Hatcn, a married man, make you iprcßentß of blouses? „. ■ Witness did not answer this question. Suniroms up, His Honour said that in his opinion there was no, evidence that the bloiißeß found in the girls possess-on had been stolen, and there war without question, absolutely 110 trace of the missing sports coat, cited in the jndictmcnt. The girl had never, cn oath, sworn that' Hatch gave her the blouse. His Honour Glrectcflfhe jury to find a, verdict of "not guilty" against Hatch. In the case cf the girl, sho was, on her own admission, guilty of stcaliuit the lacc. • Without- retiring, tho jury.returned tho verdict as directed. Hatch was accordingly discharged. In asking lor lenicncy for the girl, counsel said she. was 11 mere child, one of a largo family, with a good charactcr hitherto. She had no doubt committed tho offence as the result of a desire to drcsß well. Hi'b Honour reserved his decision.
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Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 34, 4 November 1920, Page 8
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720THEFT OF LACE Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 34, 4 November 1920, Page 8
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