WAHINE MAIL ROBBERY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3919, 16 March 1929, Page 3

WAHINE MAIL ROBBERY.

TWjO PLEAD GUILTY. Wellington, Last Night. At the Wlahine mail robbery bearing, Detective-SergCant Tricklebank continued his evidence. He said that when the statement made by Bcvan was read to Gordon, the latter said: “The mongrel, to give us all away like that.” Gordon then made a statement in regard to the part he had taken. Gordon added to the statement that he did .not desire to implicate any other pei’son in connection w T ith the theft. Witness went on to detail what transpired when he went to’ the Woodville races with Detective Jarrold to interview the Ryans, who, ho went on to show, were in possession of considerable money and were betting freely. On being brought to Wellington, both Ryans were acquainted with Bevan’s statement and both made statements of their otwn. Richard Evan had been a member of the crew of the Wa'hine between January 4 and February 29, 1924. The statements of the Ryans were made separately. Detective Jarrold said that at the Woodville races lie found a Commercial Bank £5 note that had been stolen from the Wlahine in the tote. To Mr. Leicester he said that the supervisor had said that all notes in the tote, when first opened, were Bank of New Zealand ones. He could not s'ay whether many Wellington people were there. Members of the crew of the Wlahine described how they opened and closed the hatch and how it was unguarded when open. An A.©, said that on February 8, about 7 p.m., lie saw Richard Ryan sitting on a seat near the hatch, with two other men. He passed remarks with one of them. Next evening, at about six o’clock, he again saw Richard Ryan on deck and witness passed a remark about the trots. Evidence of the locking oif the batch was given also. Gordon and Bevan, who pleaded ■guilty, were committed to the Suprefme Court for sentence while the two Ryans who pleaded not guilty, were committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Richard Ryan and Bevan were again allowed bail but bail was refused Gordon and George Ryan. In respect of the latter, the Magistrate said an application for bail could be renewed later.