THEFT OF A LETTER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 824, 9 April 1910, Page 3

THEFT OF A LETTER.

Wku.ington, April 7

The Court heard the case of Rex v. Hare. The case was reserved by Mr Justice Cooper for the opinion of the Court of Appeal under section 442 of the Crimes Act, 1908. In this case the prisoner found an unposted letter. Upon reading it he discovered that it reflected on the character of the person to whom it was addressed. Instead of posting the letter he wrote to the person to whom it was addressed, stating he would give up the letter on payment of a sum of money. He was indicted for theft of the letter and also with demanding money by threats and was found guilty. The judge who tried the case, reserved the following questions for the Court of Appeal ; —(1) Was there evidence to go to a jur3 r upon which they could properly convict of theft ; (2) Was there evidence upon which they could convict him of demanding money through threats. Dr. Banford, of Auckland, appeared for the prisoner and Mr Myers for the Crown. After hearing argument the Court was unanimously of the opinion that there was evidence to go to a jury, both that the prisoner had been guilty of theft and that he had endeavoured to extort money by menaces. The conviction was therefore affirmed.