"TUIRANGI" THEFT CASE.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 11 March 1914, Page 3

"TUIRANGI" THEFT CASE.

NATIVE COMMITTED FOR

TRIAL

AT the Courthouse on Friday 6th inst, before Messrs C. La Roche and W. R. Fosbroke, a Native named Mihaka, of Matakohe, who pleaded guilty to stealing the sum of £30 from James Carr Queen, aboard the S. S. Tuirangi, on Monday morning, was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.

The evidence showed that both men boarded the vessel at Ruawai, on Sunday afternoon. They were well acquainted, and had a 'drink or two together prior to their arrival at Helensville. It was nearly midnight when they retired to the saloon, where they were to sleep. About 4 a.m. Queen awoke and discovered the loss of his money. He asked the accused about it, who said he also had lost a few shillings. The parties went on to Auckland later. Meanwhile Constable Thornell, had become suspicious of the accused, and advised the Auckland police to detain him. Detectives Cuminings and Scott duly met Mihaka, and a search resulted in the ten pound notes being found in his sock. The two ten pound notes were missing; but it afterwards transpired that he had given these to his son aboard the Tuirangi, who stated that he had burnt them when he thought possession of same might get him into trouble.

The evidence of Queon, Detective Cummings, Arthur Turner and accused's son was very complete against the accused, who eventually pleaded "guilty," although his first "statement," despite its culpable admissions, was a denial.