FUR-COAT STORY

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1921, Page 1

FUR-COAT STORY

AN IMPUT)EXT TJI EFT

WELLINGTON, March 24

A somewhat interesting case concerning the theft of a- lady’s fur-lined coat was heard before Mr H. \\ . Bundle, at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when a man named James Cain appeared in answer to a charge of stealing the above-mentioned coat, valued at £3O, the property of Herb. Price. Mr A. H. Siovwright, who appeared for the accused, raised the objection to the charge that, regarding the present state of the market, the decline in prices which has taken place during the last few weeks, the coat would not bp worth more than £2O.

His Worship: Are you a married man, Mr Sievwright?

Mr Sievwright: I understand it is not. necessary to he married to buy a fur coat.

The lesser value placed on the coat was accepted for the purpose of carrying on the case. Detective Ward said that about 5 o’clock on the day in question the accused was seen by a shop assistant in Herb. Price’s to lift the coat from a peg outside the door, throw it over his shoulder and walk off with it. A constable was sent for. and Cain was brought hack. Mr Sievwright said the accused was with three other men at the time. Cain said another man took the coat and threw it over Cain’s shoulder.

His Worship convicted Cain and admitted him to probation for one year, on condition that lie took out a prohibition order.