WORKERS’ WALLET

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1926, Page 1

WORKERS’ WALLET

TRIAL OF THREE .MEN

[BY TEI.IOIIAI'Tr PER PRRBS ASSOCIATION.! CHRISTCHURCH, August 17. William Mcßae, Malcolm Charles McDonald, and Thomas Joseph Arthur Crawford pleaded not guilty at the Supreme Court, before Mr Justice Adams to a charge of stealing £l7 from the person of Thomas Henderson, labourer, on May 27th at Christchurch. Mi' Donnelly said that the accused belonged to the class of persons generally known as “ spielers,” who rambled about the city, particularly in hotels, looking for someone to take down. On May 26th they came to Christchurch from Wellington, and were in the bar of the A.l Hotel with Henderson, who had come from Irwell with a cheque for £3l. He had £lB left. There was no doubt that Crawford “ spotted ” Henderson as an easy mark, took him to an hotel, and there the three accused “ went through ”

Evidence was given by George Shields, barman at the A.l Hotel, and by Detective Bayliss. Thomas Henderson, farm labourer of Irwoll, said that lie came to Christchurch on May 20th, and’had an order on the Farmers’ Co-on. from his employer for £3l odd. He paid a few accounts and had £lB left. At about d p.m. a man came up to him in Cashel Street and asked him for directions to the Bother field Hotel. Ho then asked witness to go to the A.l Hotel and have a drink with him. There he was introduced to McDonald and McKay. ■They asked witness to have a bet on Listening Post, running in the races at Dunedin. He agreed to put £1 on the horse, and gave it to MacDonald. Crawford told witness that he would he all right for the “racing game,” and asked him to let them feel his weight. Crawford lifted witness up and tipped him to one side. Tlie other two were

standing very close to witness. ’Witness then said he was going to the tra msheds and he found that his wallet was gone. He saw Mcßae in town next day, and informed a constable, who apprehended him. After a retirement of the full four hours, the iurv returned a verdict of “not guilty” against Mcßae and McDonald. The foreman reported the jury had failed to agree regarding the charge against Crawford. The former two were acquitted. A retrial was ordered for Crawford.