A LOST SWAG.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1754, 1 September 1917, Page 3

A LOST SWAG.

MYSTERY CLEARED UP,

CONVICTION FOR THEFT. The mysterious disappearance of a swag cheeked through from Palmerston North to Foxton in Ap'rd last as finally cleared up at yesterday’s sitting of the Magistrate’s Court. The swag belonged to a native named Pat Kauri, who, with others, returned from the Territorial camp at Wanganui in April last. On arrival at Palmerston North, Kauri booked his swag through to Foxton, but on going to the local railway station to get same the following day no trace of it could be found. Another Territorial named Wallbutton who returned from the camp at the same time, had also booked his swag through at Palmerston, and when he went to take possession of his belongings he signed for same, and at the request of a relieving clerk at the local railway station, also signed for Kauri's swag, although he did not take delivery of same. Kauri’s swag could not be traced, and as Wallbutton had signed for it, Kauri brought a civil action against him at the sitting of the Court two months ago to recover the value of same. At the hearing it was proved to the satisfaction of the Magistrate that although Wallbutton signed for the swag he certainly did not take delivery of it, and judgment was given for defendant. Since then the police ascertained that a railway surfaceman employed on the section between Ilimatangi and Rangiotu, named Dan Rikehana, was in possession of a sail of clothes that had been contained in the swag, and a charge of alleged theft of same was preferred against him at yesterday’s silting of the Court. As a result of a search by the police', other portions of the swag were found in the railway goods shed at Rangiolu, but other portions were shlf missing. Constable Moods conducted (be ease yesterday on behalf of the police, and defendant was represented hy Mr R. 11. Wcbh. For Ibe prosecution, Pat Kauri gave evidence as to hooking the swag through from Palmerston, ami also as lo the previous case concerning same. Some time later Hikehana had told witness that he had the suit, being portion of the swag, and that bo had bought same for six shillings at a sale of lost, luggage at Rangiotu. He offered to hand over the suit if witness would pay him the six shillings, hut witness refused, and informed the police. The suit produced in Court was his.' It, had been altered by lengthening the trousers, and there was a patch on the trousers which was not there when he packed it up at Wanganui. '

Robert George Brabyn, railway porter, Rangiotu, remembered the Territorials returning from camp in April last. A swag was put off at Rangiotu that was not claimed. There was no address on it, and he put it iu the goods shed. Ho did not make any enquiries about it. The swag was still there when lie went on leave on May 17th, but when lie returned on June 2nd lie found elolhes, which were portion of the swag, on the lloor of the shed; these were afterwards taken away by Constable Woods. The shed was open daring the day, but was looked at night.

William Kirk, porter, Ilalcombo, stated that he was relieving at Rangiotu from May 17th to June 2ad. Y\Tien he look over from Porter Bra by u there were some loose garments on the floor of the goods shed, and these were still there when he went away.

Harry Brodcrsen gave evidence as to seeing loose clothing lying on the lloor of the goods shed.

Cousin bio Woods sin led that during (he first week in August ho. was informed by Pnl Kauri that Rikchana has his (Kauri’s) suit. He saw .Rikohana, and lie admitted that ho had the suit, and said lie found it in some lupins near Rangiotu station. At witness’ request he sent (he suit to him. Witness said he obtained a search warrant and searched defendant's home, but did not find anything that belonged to the swag. Portion of the contents was found in the Rangiotu railway goods shed. For the defence Air Webb called th'e defendant, Dan Rikohana, who stated that one evening, after the Otaki races, lie was returning home, and had occasion to go to some lupins near the railway line, and there saw the suit in the lupins. It was in a very dirty condition, but he thought that with a little cleaning it would be wearable. He had it washed and cleaned, and pressed it. In wearing it later he found a crumpled envelope in one of thq pockets with Pat Kauri’s name on it. He saw Kauri about a fortnight later, and asked him if he had lost any clothes. He said he had, and witness told him that he had found the suit. He told him he wanted six shillings for cleaning and pressing it. Kauri said He matter was in the hands of the police.

Eleena Rikehnna, wife of defendant, stated that one night her husband brought home a suit of clothes, which he said he found in tlui lupins. Witness washed and cleaned it, and her husband pressed it. No alterations were made to it. She remembered her husband going to sec Pat Kauri about it some time' later.

John Amundsen, railway ganger, said that defendant told him that he had found a suit of clothes, and later on informed him that he had found out that the suit belonged to

Pat Kauri, and that he had told Kauri to call and get it. The Magistrate said that on the evidence defendant must be convicted. A fine of £3 was inflicted, with witnesses’ expenses £2 14s Od.