BREAKING AND ENTERING AND THEFT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1084, 17 August 1912, Page 3

BREAKING AND ENTERING AND THEFT.

At the local Police Court yesterday morning, before Messrs Fraser and Hornblovv, J’s.P., a man named Edward Croft, a stranger to the district, was charged with breaking and entering the dwelling house of Ivan Francis Watt, in Hall Street, and stealing therefrom a rue, suit ot clothes, and a watch chain, to the total value of £6. Watt, in evidence, stated that he left the door of his cottage shut but not locked on Thursday morning. He returned at dinner-time and discovered that the goods mentioned were missing. He informed the police, and subsequently identified the stolen goods at the police station as his property. The accused had been employed by him for a day and a half, but had no authority to go to the cottage. Warren Williams gave evidence to the effect that the accused was lodging at the same boardinghouse as witness. On Thursday he offered to sell him a suit ofclothes, which witness said he did not want. He then wanted to sell a silver watch chain to witness for ss. Witness would not buy it, as accused was under the influence of liquor. Constable Sweeney said, upon information received, he called at the. boardinghouse where accused was lodging and found the accused lying on a sofa under the influence of liquor. He asked where the suit was he (accused) was trying to sell. Accused denied that he had a suit for sale. Searched accused’s room, and found the missing rug on accused’s bed and the suit hanging up in the room. Searched accused and found the chain in accused's pocket The stolen property was subsequently identified by Watt.

Accused stated that he was muddled with driuk, aud the clothes were given to him to mind by another person. He would have to plead guilty to having the goods in his possession.

Accused was committed to the Supreme Court at Palmerston N. for sentence on Monday next.