BURGLARY AND FRAUD

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 102, 2 May 1930, Page 7

BURGLARY AND FRAUD

CHAKGES AGAINST HALF-CASTE

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Ist May. Robert Harvey Campbell, a half-caste Maori, who was arrested by Detective Robinson in Wellington on 17th April, was charged in the Magistrate's Court ■with breaking and entering premises at New Plymouth and Stratford, using explosives to ■ open safes, theft of a wallet and £130 from clothing in a hotel bedroom at New Plymouth; forgery of a cheque for £5, and defrauding the owner of a car valued at £160 by means of false pretences. ' Detective Robinson said he went to the place in Wellington where the accused lived under the name of Frank Kepuko, and took possession of a large amount of property, including a raincoat, a pair of shoes, and a hat, the accused was wearing. Accused had a Morris Cowley car, and in his possession were documents relating to the reputed purchase and registration of the car, and a receipt for £50 deposit. . Walter E. Reid, of Upper Hutt, said he was aroused at 1.30 a.m. by a noise and saw that his bedroom door at the Criterion Hotel was half-open. Witness switched on the light and found a, man crouching at the end of his bed without hat or boots. He said he was in the wrong room, and submitted quietly. While a porter sought the police,the mai^ rushed upstairs, witness chasiDg him in vain. He identified the man as the accused in a parade at the police station. Robert M'Millan, who was also staying at the Criterion Hotel on the night of the alleged offence, said he heard a disturbance early in the morning, but did not associate it" with any loss until the morning, when he found that his wallet had gone. A noise like a door slamming was heard by a nightwatchman of the Harbour Board at 4.30 a.m. on 13th March. Investigating, Be found the back door open and a pan- of shoes and an iron bar at the back door. He flashed a torch and heard.a scuffle inside. Witness tried to fasten the back" door from the outside, but failed; so he rang the police. Arthur Richard Masters said that when he went late at night to the offices of, Masters Ltd., Stratford, he saw a broken skylight, but thought it had been broken by a member of the stall. Next morning he found the strongroom door had i been burst open with explosives inserted in the -keyhole, which was plugged with soap. Cash amounting to £109 had been I taken. ..'■•'..' . !

The case was adjourned till next week.