67TH CONVICTION

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 202, 11 September 1937, Page 11

67TH CONVICTION

Labourer Sent to Gaol for Theft of Purse 'YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU LIKE" 1 Once more, William Adolphus Cunaingham, a labourer, of no fixed abode, is to go to gaol, this time for three months. In the Napier Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon, before Messrs A. E. Bedford and F. J. Annan, J.P.'s, his 67th conviction was entered against Cunningham, who, together with another man, stole a young woman's purse from a liall in Napier the previous evening. Detective-Sergeant H. 'Nuttall said that the owner of the purse, whose name was ordered to be suppressed, had attended a dxill practice at St. John's Hall the previous evening and at about 6.45 p.m. found the purse missing. Later in the evening the men had been noticed behind some trees outside the Public Works Department, and as they had a lady's handbag in their possession they were watched and the police called. Charles Alfred Smith, an employee of tho Public Works Department, deseribcd how he liad seen the men and ivatched tkem. When witness used the words "tlie one on the left," Cunningham interrupted. Which i.s vour left?" he asked. ''Everyone in Court has.'a left." Tho Benph; Be quiet. You will have your opportunity later. Cunningham: Which is his left, and who are you referring to? Witness: The shorter man. Cunningham: Go ahead. The Detective-Sergeant gave evidence of the arrest of Cunningham and his companion. Nichofas Steplien Bougourd, of Meeanee, gardener. Cunningham had in his pocket a mirror identified by the owner of the purse. In the witness box, Cunningham

swore lo tell "the fair dinkum truth,' but was ordered to repeat the oath properly. He then stated that he had been in Hastings at the Rugby match all the evening and did not return to Napier until one o'clock in the morning. He had found the purse behind the trees. •, "Make it £20; I've got plenty of money," he said when he was fined £10, in default three months' imprisonment. "This man has no previous convictions and you are going to let him off the same as you should let me. You will have to answer to a higher judge for this conviction; this will be brought up in the House of Parliament in the six months' time." The Bench: If you do not keep quiet you will be convicted of contempt of Court. Cunningham: You can do what you lilre. You have already hung me. Mr Bedford then stated that tho sentence would be altered. Cunningham was convicted and sentenced to three montlis' hard labour without the option of a fine. The other man was convicted and' discliarged, the Bench remarking that it was Tealised that he had been dragged into the matter by Cunningham.