DISPUTE OVER A ROPE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3844, 13 September 1928, Page 2

DISPUTE OVER A ROPE.

SETTLED AT COURT. the local S.M. Court this morning, before Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., G. F. H. Hall was charged with the theft of a rope valued at 6/- /from J. W. Coley, on August 13th. Constable Owen outlined the case and said defendant had been cutting firewood in a plantation and using a cart for the removal of tlge firewood. The rope had been missed from Coley’s stable and later located on defendant’s cart. James William Coley, contractor and farmer, of Foxton, identified the rope (produced), as his and in evidence stated that on a recent; Monday witness visited the blacksmith’s shop and there saw defendant’s cart in which was liis rope. He questioned defendant about the rope which he said he purchased from Garbett’s. Accused refused to give witness delivery of the rope and witness referred the matter to the police. When witness and Constable 'Bell'visited defendant’s/ house half an hour later he had altered the binding on the rope. The last time witness saw the rope in bis own possession was on the previous Friday evening. He gave defendant every opportunity of returning the rope, but he refused to do so.

James George Coley, son of previous witness, gave corroborative evidence. He also identified the rope. James Smith, an employee of plaintiff, gave similar evidence of identification. Constable Bell gave evidence as to interviewing defendant in reference to the rope. On visiting his house witness found accused busy splicing a loop into the rope. Mr. Garbett said he had not sold the rope produced to accused but a different one. Accused said he had found the rope in the plantation that morning. Hall in evidence, said that he had purchased a rope from Mr. Garbett which he lost in the plantation. Later he found a rope in the same locality which he thought was his. He was still of opinion the rope was his. He had never been in Coley’s yard in his life. The S.M.: Why did you alter it? —I was in a hurry to get some wood and needed the rope. The S.M.: Well it wasn’t yours. If you find a thing and keep it it is not yours and you are guilty of theft. Accused was convicted and discharged, the rope being returned to plaintiff.