THEFT OF CUPS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 6, 22 January 1937, Page 9

THEFT OF CUPS

Presa Association.)

Station Hand Charged With Stealing Race Trophies COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

(By Telegraph—!

CHRISTCHURCH:, Jan. 21. Richard Martyn, aged 53, cowmangardener at Burwood Staion, pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing four gold cups valued at £750, the property of William Hazlett, on August 10. Messrs. W. T. Gilbert and M. Miller, J.P.'s, were f>n. the bench. John Hazlett, manager of Burwood, said he was in Christchurch in August for the Grand National meeting when he received word that the cups were missing. He returned home, and on the night of January 13 he heard an argument between Martyn and two other employ ees, McCauley and Donaldson. He saw the accused and .MoCauley gp to-wards the wooished. They returned with the cups. Martyn said he did not steal the cups but had received an anonymous letter telling him where they were. A search was made for the letter, but it could not be found. Witness took Martyn to the Lumsden Police Station, whero he was arrested. Philip Richmond, blapksmith, said that while working at Burwood Martyn told him that "a man ought to pinch the cups. It would serve Hazlett right.'' Eric McCauley, head shepherd, said he had an argument with Martyn and accused him of stealing the. cups. Martyn took him to the plantation, where the cups, in a sugar-bag, were prociuo ed from the root of a tree. Detective Smith and Constable Thompson stated that they interviewed the accused several times but that he denied all knowledge of or association with the theft. The accused, who reserved his defence, was committed to the next Supreme Court at Invercargill for trial. Bail was refused.