MONEY IN TOY DOG

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 16, 14 October 1943, Page 6

MONEY IN TOY DOG

Thrown From Liner’s Deck To Wharf

SOLDIER ADMITS THEFT

A toy dog figured prominently in a ease heard before Mr. Stout, S.M., in the Magistrates’ Court. Wellington, yesterday, when George Thurley Thurman, soldier. fitter and welder, aged 32, pleaded guiltv to bringing 104 dollars and £uB 10/- in New Zealand currency, a total value of £9O/2/8, to this country after having obtained them in a manner which, if perpetrated in New Zealand, would have amounted to theft. Detective G. C. Urquhart said that, following a complaint from the Army Department, he had interviewed accused on board a liner after it had berthed at Wellington. He advised him that be was suspected of having stolen £42 in Egyptian currency, £6B/10/- in New Zealand currency, and 104 dollars American currency from a safe deposit at the New Zealand Forces' Club in Cairo, just before he left the Middle East. Accused at first denied the offence, and invited a search of his effects aboard the ship, which revealed nothing regarding the money. When the ship berthed accused had been noticed waving to someone on the wharf. He was then carrying the dog. Asked later where it was, he said he had thrown it to his little boy. who was on tlie wharf. Major W. Wood, o.f the provost marshal's ollice. Wellington, recovered the dog. Accused was then given a knife and asked to undo the scam. After be had pulled out some of the kapok stuffing. he intimated that he wished to make a statement admitting that he took the money. Following that lie extricated a roll of notes from the inside of the dog, and another was found in the head. Major Wood gave corroborative evidence. Accused, for whom Mr. A. J. Mazengarb appeared, was committed to the 'Supreme Court for sentence.

The sum of £25 was voted the Wellington trainwaymen's overseas comforts committee by the Wellington City Council last night.