MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1930, Page 6

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5

(Before Messrs W. Wilson and W. E - , Richards.)

ALLEGED THEFT

The Police charged a young man with theft of £5 the property of Arthur R. Thompson of Bruce Bay on 17th February 1929. Mr Sellers appeared for defendant who elected to he dealt with as for an indictable offence. Arthur Robert Thompson gave evidence that he was a farm laborer residing at Bruce Bay: He came to Hokitika from Bruce Bay on 12th Feb, 1929. Had £22 when he arrived—three £5 notes a £5 cheque payable to himself, a £1 note and some silver, Took the number's of the £5 notes and put them in his pocket hook (leaf of notebook produced). They were df Bank of New Zealand. He cashed two, one to Newman’s Motors on the day he arrived, and the other one to Arnold Perry, dentist, the next day or the day after. He still had one £5 note left. He did not cash the £5 note. Kept the money in a purse in the hip pocket, which had a flap, with a button. On 17th. Feb. he went to the Hokitika Swimming Baths. It was'a ; .Sunday. ; There were about 20 in the Baths. Had a £5 note, a cheque. 10s note, some silver, and two keys in the purse. ,/Wbnt' into /the water, ijn.dressing in/ the big e 'dressing room. There were a few others in the dressing room. He could not ’remember if the accused was in the baths. Do not know him. Left his clothes hanging on a nail in' the dressing ;rooni: The money ;was in his trousers pocket when he went,into the water. Returned to the 'dressing room ire about -20 minutes and dressed. Saw the pocket of his trousers was open, and the purse was gone. Searched all his clothes without success. Told the caretaker. A few others were around when he made the complaint. Gave no one any authority to go to his pocket. Then reported the matter to the police. Had not seen any of liis property since. Had lost altogether between £6 5s and £6 15s. When he went into the baths he paid the fee out of loose silver in another pocket. The money that remained in that- pocket was also gone, when he dressed. No

one knew what money lie had, wliei he went to the baths Waring James Kendall Andrew: gave evidence that he is the caretake: of Hokitika Swimming Baths. Remeni bered Thompson complaining of having lost some money. It was a Sunday rtf ternoon. He paid for a swim. Then were others present. The accused was present at the same time as .Thompson Accused went away for a while before Thompson left but came back. Could not say if the accused was present when Thompson made the complaint. It j was usual to undress in the big dressing room. Thompson said he had lost a purse containing a £5 note, a cheque for £5, about £1 of silver and two keys of his suit case. >, : . -Constable Dougherty gave evidence that; Thompson came to the Police Station on February 17th, 1929, and complained that he was at the swiniminw baths, Hokitika, that afternoon, undressed in the big dressing shed, hung his clothes up, paraded about the, baths and had a swim. From the time he undressed till he dressed about half an hour elapsed. On commencing to dress he observed the button on his hip pocket was undone. He then discovered that his

- money was gone. He said lie had lost a purse containing one £5 note, one 10s note, 10s or 12s in silver, a . chcfjue for £5, and two keys. Also one shilling that was in a separate pocket. Thompson made a thorough search of his pockets, and found the cheque. He said he had /the number of the £5 note in a pocket book at the hotel. Later on he handed in the page of the pocket.. book (produced). The following morning he notified, the Bank and also local tradespeople. Samuel Prince Louis Evans (gave evidence that he was a clerk in the Bank of New Zealand, at Hokitika. He>. was relieving at the counter between 12 and 1 p.m. He had received instructions to look out for three £5 notes, the numbers having been {suppliied. Know the, accuised. He came to the Bank on 18th February, 1929. He - made., a lodgment to his mother's account for £9. It consisted of one £5 note and four singles. Examined the number of the £5 note. The number corresponded with one of the numbers of the three numbers he had received. He reported this to the Chief Accountant, Mr Spencer. As far as lie was aware the Bank did not find the other two notes. Sergeant C. J. King gave evidence .that after receiving a report from Constable Dougherty in regard to Thompson’s complaint witness supplied business - people and Banks of the numbers of. the missing notes on Monday morning, February 18th, 1929. During the afternoon of the same date was advised by the Bank of New Zealand, that one of the £5 notes had been paid in by accused. Requested the Bank to impound the note. Then spoke to accused’s mother and asked her where it came from,

and she said it came over the counter in the ordinary course of business. On 21st January, 1930. when in the police office accused in reply to a question what about the Baths business, said, “I might as well tell the truth, I did it.” Obtained a. statement from accused, in which he said he was dressing in the shed, no one else being present. He tools a purse containing a £5 note and cheque. He put the cheque back. He changed the note with another from his mother's pafe. He made the statement ] voluntarily and signed it. No one \

was present except witness and accused. The accused pleaded not guilty and reserved liis defence, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed in £SO, and one surety of £SO and the name of accused was ordered to be suppressed meantime.