MAIL BAG THEFT

Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1927, Page 1

MAIL BAG THEFT

TRIAL OF TAYLOR. DY TELEGRAPH—PREBS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. HAMILTON,' Oct. 3. There was a crowded gallery of interested spectators at the Hamilton Court this morning, when AA’illiam Harold Alelville Taylor, married, 30, was charged with the theft, on September 3rd, of a mail bag and its contents, the property of the Post-master-General. Detective Sweeney appeared for the prosecution, and Air J. Strang watched proceedings oil bohall’ of the accused, who was arrested on Saturday. A remand until October 12th was sought h.v Detective Sweeney.

Air Strang intimated that he would consent to that, asking the Magistrate (ALr AYyvern AVilson) to consider an application for bail on such security as was thought adequate. It is understood, stated Air Strang that accused was charged with the theft of a mail bag and its contents of a considerable value, most of which were noil-negotiable documents for which payment was immediately stopped when the hag was lost. Counsel had no knowledge of the value of the I remainder of the missing bag’s contents, but he understood the essence of the case against accused was that he was alleged to have attempted to negotiate cheques believed to have been in the bag in question. Accused h'ad been in the town for a good many years, AH Strang continued, and was in business as a land agency employee. Detective Sweeney stated that the official e.slima.to of the bag’s contents was about 1000 postal packets, including noil-negotiable cheques, to tho value of £50,000 or £60,000, which were being forwarded from Auckland banks to this district. In the missing hag were two specific postal packets, one containing a cheque for £lB 8s 4(1, and the other another cheque for £lO 0s 5(1, which, stated the Detective, accused was seen to pass. That was the evidence he had to offer at present “ Accused is not unknown to us.” added Detective Sweeney.

The Magistrate: Is lie favourably known to you? Detective Sweeney: No, your Worsliop. “ 1 shall grant hail in a substantial surety,” stated the -Magistrate, who fixed the hail at £IOO. in £SOO personal, and two sureties of £250 each, on the special condition that accused report to the Hamilton police daily at 9 a.m.