THEFT CHARGES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10274, 8 May 1919, Page 7

THEFT CHARGES

MISSING GOODS COLOURED MAN OOannTTE© FOR TRIAL. In tho Magistrate's Court yesterday, James Arthur Pollard, alias Archie Taylor, appeared on remand, charged with breaking and entering the dwelling of one Oscar Hull-Brown, 187, Vivian street, and stealing a trombone, three cornets, six violins, a viola, four flutes, fourteen piccolos, an oboe, two clarionets, and six bows, valued at £125. The oaße was before the court on Wednesday of last week, and was adjourned till yesterday, when tho evidence for the prosecution was concluded.

William Laing, reoalled, stated that Pollard attended a practice of the Patriotic Band, and later a man, whom tho accused introduced as D. R. Robinson, a member of the Napier Band, came into the band-room. Robinson was the person from whom witness purchased two cornets. Constable James Tocker stated that be was on duty in Vivian street on the night of April Ist, at 9 o'clock, when he saw the accused-, and a European coming out of Orawford street. The men went down Ouba street, and the following morning witness received information that Hull-Brown's promises had been broken into the previous night. George Clarence Thompson, who said he resided at 460, Evans Bay road, stated that the accused's real name was Archie Taylor, and on several occasions he had .been a visitor at witness's home. A number of the stolen instruments were found at his homo by Detective-Sergeant Andrews on April oth. The stolen property was brought to his house on the night of April Ist. Witness was in bed, when there was a knock on the window, and in answer to an inquiry the person outside said it was "Archie.' On opening the door witness sa-w a man whom he knew as McDonald. The visitor said that "Archie" desired witness to "take care of two sacks of goods until the following day, and, without waiting for a reply, thrust the bags into the passage and went away. There was a motor-car standing in the street. Two days afterwards witness examined the sacks, and on finding that they contained musical instruments he came to the conclusion the property had heen stolen. On Thursday night, April 4th, McDonald was at witness's house when ho arrived home at 7 o'clock. He immediately accused McDonald of being a thief, and told him to take the stolen property away. The accused, who was represented by Mr W. O. Mellish, reserved his defence, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. DRABSRY SHOP RANSACKED. Pollard was then charged _ with breaking and entering the promises of Messrs Cody and Company, Ltd., in Courtenay place, and stealing 525 yards of white silk, 40 yards .of black silk, 11 dozen pairs of ladies' hose, Lliree dozen tins of talc powder, threo ladies' overcoats, eleven pairs of ladies' shoes, and threo pairs of mens boots, of a total value of £-180. William Joseph Cody, managing dij rector of Cody and Company, Ltd., i drapers, SI, 33 and 35, Courtenay I place, said that on tho night) of March ! 19th he left tho .shop at 6 o'clock, i when the premises were mado securo ' lor the night. On. returning the fol- : lowing morning at 9 o'clock ho found i that goods had been removed and por- ! tion of tho contents of the shop had j boon ransacked. A quantity of silks, i ladies' stockings, boots and overcoats was missing. At the rear of the boot shop a window had been broken and tho iron bars removed. A day or two previously tho accused and a white man camo into the shop and purchased a ! pair of gloves. | Gladys Urwin, assistant in the omi ploy of Cody and Company, said she j I:new tho accused as Archie Taylor. A i dry or two prior to March 20th Taylor | oamo into the shop with a whito man. The accused asked for a reel of silk, and asked if the firm stocked piece-silk. He lookod at some 6ilk and took some strands of the heaviest qualities'. Later in tho day the accused and his companion camo to tl'o shop again am 3 inquired for gloves. William Mitchell, a boy 10 years ot tiro, stated tliat he knew a man named McDonald, and remembered him coming to his mother's house at 460, lOvans Bay road. His mother was absent at tho time, and McDonald loft, h parcel which witness placed in a drawer. Ho also knew a man named Archie Taylor, who married witness's sister. Taylor was a coloured man, but lie. did not reoogniKc the accused as I Taylor.

Klizabeth L. Mitchell, widow, residing at -IGO, Evans Bay road, deposed to '.Taylor having married her daughter in January last. Taylor only visited her homo on ono or two occasions, and a man named McDonald was 'present at tho marriage. On returning home on& clay in Marcli last she found a parcel in a drawer. It contained a piece of silk, ladies' stockings, and' a scarf. Tho articles were those produced in oourt. On April Gth McDonald called at the houso during the afternoon and witness questioned him relative to the parcel ho had left some weeks previously. McDonald said tho silk was lining and she could use it to make shirts for her hoys. Sho used about four yards of tho material.

Detective-Sergeant Andrew;, said that 'n company with Constable Black ho searched the house occupied, by the accused on April oth in Alfred street. The accused was not at homo, and no stolen property was found. Premises known as 460, Evans Bay road were then searched, and two pieces of silk, a blue silk soarf, and four arid a half pairs of stockings wore round. On April 23rd 'lif» nncused was charged with -the offence, and the recovered articles' wee Miown %o "»!''■ Pollard replied that lie knew nothiiiK about it, and asked if the property produced was nil that was recovered. ITe. added tb.it he was savin K nothing, and wan only in Cody's r.hop on one occasion, when he bought a collar for his wife.

Tho incused pleaded not rjuilty, and was romanded to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail'was fixed at £75 on each charge.