ROBBERY CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 April 1930, Page 8

ROBBERY CHARGE

TWO F f REMEN FOR, TRIAL

MAN BOSKS BANKNOTES

ADCHI.IAND, April ]]. As a sequel to a Welshman's •‘party’’ in a Hobson vSti’eet house last Friday evening, two ship’s • firemen, James Daley (34) and Robert Morton (32; appeared at the Poli.e Court this morning on a serious charge. Each was charged with robbing Charles Darke of £o Jos and using personal violence.

Detective Sergeant T. Kelly prosecuted and Mr Noble represented Daley.

Darke, in evidence, said he arrived in Auckland at 1.39 p.m. on April 4, and at 6 p.m. the same day he was in the bar of the Albion Hotel when the two accused, whom he knew by sight, came up to him. At their request witness "shouted” for both and then left the bar. Both afterwards followed him and suggested that he should accompany them to "Billy” Williams’ house in Hobson Street. Witness agreed, and with the two accused wem to Williams’ house, going into tin kitchen, which was lighted by tw< candles. After talking with the accused for' ten minutes, he took from his pocket a small roll of notes. Then were six £1 notes, and he gave one to Williams with which to buy some food. "Morton then put the candles out. when Daley was standing by the table in the kitchen,” said Darke. "I nex' got a blow on the chin by Morton Daley then came behind me and heb my hands behind my back. 1 then le 1 down.”

Detective Sergeant Kelly: WE decorated your eye?:—Morton. He nisi struck me on the eye. As the res ill 1 of the blows I was iust about unconscious.

Did anyone attend to you?,— Yes Williams, when he came hack.

"POCKETS TURNED OUT.”

Continuing, Darke said that when he came to again he discovered that all his pockets were turned inside out. All his money, made up of £0 in notes and 15s in silver, had gone. Both Morion and Daley were in the kitchen when he discovered his loss. He accused them of stealing his money. The two accused then blamed each other. The next day, at 1.3 d p.m. in Hobson Street, he pointed Daley out to two detectives.

'The next witness was William Henry Williams, of Hobson Street. He said he had known Darke for the past five years, lie also knew the two accused. Darke, Morton and Daley came to witness’ house shortly after 6 p.m. on April 4. “Morton and Daley were ‘singing drunk.,’ ” said Williams. “They wanted a sing-song. Three of them were Welsh and they wanted a party. However, the two accused knew perfectly what they were doing.” Williams said that after Darke had given him a £1 note from his roll, he went to buy some stores. On returning to his house lie found the kitchen in darkness. Witness heard Darke call out to him. On going to the kitchen he found Darke lying stretched on the floor. His pockets were turned inside out. There were two threepenny pieces lying on the floor. Daley was sitting in the kitchen. “Witness exclaimed : “What is this rookery here?” Daley replied that he did not know anything about it. Darke then said: “They punched me and rooked me and haven’t left me with a penny piece.”

“AN ARGUMENT

Witness then said to Daley, “Co out and find 'Taffy Morton and try and get die money hack, or there will he trouble,” Daley went out, but did not return. Just before he went Daley was accused of stealing the money by

Darke and the two had an argument, Darke striking Daley, who did not re-

taliate. After Daley left, Morton ■lime l ack with a pa:cel of beer and when accused of the robbery by Darke, ':e said Daley had taken the money. Williams added 11 1 art he afterwards took Darke to his home. Before leaving with Darke he locked up his house, but on returning he found Morton in bed. He must have forced his way into witness’ house.

Acting-Dcteitive A. Moore and Act-ing-Detective J. Haves then mm: evidence of the arrest of loth accused last Saturday. Koch was arrested for drunkenness. Daley, who made a statement, said he was at Williams’

house on Friday night last, with Morton and Darke, tie remembered Darke giving Williams a note from his roll. Daley said he was opening a bottle when the lights went out. Then Moron and Darke started fighting. He said he did not leave his chair and denied holding Darke’s arms or taking his in one v.

MONEY IN HIS BOOT

Morton when interviewed said, "That of a Daley hit the man and took his money.” When searched Morton had £2 17s 3d in liis possession, there was one 10s note and £1 in silver concealed in the lining of His coat nd S.s lid in his left boot. Asked when he got this money Morton replied that lie "got it yesterday.” He said he put the money in his hot to huy tobacco in case he was taken to prison. The following'day Morton made another statement in which he denied assaulting Darke. Fie said he had been drinking and never saw what happened. He bad been getting compensation. for six weeks and should have had about .£2 16s at the time he was arrested.

Daley, on being searched, had only 2s. Daley pleaded not guilty. Morton said, "I plead drunk and guilty to my part of the case.” "We will take that as not guilty,” said the magistrate. He then committed both the accused to the Supreme Court for trial.