A FOOL AND HIS MONEY

NZ Truth, Issue 1192, 4 October 1928, Page 7

A FOOL AND HIS MONEY

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But Scott, Though Dazed, Was Not Altogether Green

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Hastings Representative.)

John Scott was a station cook. Like most of his ilk he worked hard^ while on the Job and then, when the. occasion demanded, drifted into town to have a good time. Towards the end of August, Scott decided to run into Hastings to give his cheque a spin. The cheque got a spin and Scott Was found m a vacant section with a blood-bespattered face and no money. Two men who have been associated with Scott, Were later asked for explanations.

WHEN the police neared'the scene, two men were seen slinking away from the spot; but good stock was taken of these two, and subsequently, they were both invited to the police station to answer some pertinent questions. The two men were Thomas Martin Power, whose name is not unknown on the Hastings police court records, and Frank Pepper, whose name recently figured m a story of domestic trouble. As a result of thi. questioning. both were placed under arrest, and last week at , Hastings they appeared before Magistrate Mowlem, charged with robbing John Scott of £13 and, a metal watch valued at £ 1 and at the same time using personal violence to Scott on August 29. Lawyer E. J. Hallett was m Pepper's corner, while Lawyer Le B. Helleur stood behind Power. Senior- sergeant J. A. Dempsey was the announcer for the police. John Scott told the court how he^had come to town from his country * job with a £10 note a "fiver" and four singles. When he hit the city, the time was 3.30 p.m. and. his first port of call was the Hastings Hotel. From there he moved on to the Grand and there he met Tpmmy Power.. Tommy was an old friend so naturally they had a few drinks, Scott doing the shouting. fimm .

. With John it was evidently a case of "it's a long time between drinks," but m the long time, . a lot of drinks

were downed. When he decided that it was time to go, he was a bit "hazy .~ .He faintly remembered leaving the hotel on his own, but the next impression was something pressing against his throat. John is a big man and a strong one. This procedure was no use to him so he turned round with the intention of saying "what are you doing?" He never got the words out for a hand was clapped over his mouth, his own arms were pinned to his side, and a voice which he recognized as Power's said, "Shut up; we've got you." A hand went Into his trouser pocket where his money was and then he managed to struggle free. He 'started to yell for help, but a blow between his eyes brought oblivion and John -remembered nothing more until his senses returned at the police station. When he came back to the realities of life, he found that Power was at the police station too, so he promptly accused Power of robbing and garroting him. Lawyer Hallett: You " had a pretty fair, number of drinks?— Certainly, or I would, not have' been , here. x And by six o'clock you were helpless? — No. I was dazed. How many drinks did you have? — Seven- or eight. Not more?— -Well there might have been one or two more. You don't know how much money you had when you left the hotel? — I had a pretty fair idea. From the time you left the hotel till the robbery, you don't remember much?— No. When the wine is m the wit is out. Constable James Baxter _p told the court that at 6.15 p.m. he saw both accused standing outside the Grand fruit shop. A little later Power walked into the shop, but Pepper remained outside leaning against the verandah post. Pepper was wearing a light raincoat and black felt hat. Ernest George Kiddle, proprietor of the, Grand fruit^shop was next placed m the box and he stated that . shortly after 6 p.m., Scott came into his shop to pay an account. Scott produced a "tenner" and three singles and was looking for a "fiver" when Power walked into the shop. These two seemed to know each other and they started an argument, but witness did not know what the argument was about. ■ ' . . ,' - When he saw Power repeatedly tapping Scott on the face, and words became heated, he went outside and saw Pepper standing there. Thinking he was a mate of Scott's, he asked Pepper to go m and .take him away. . ' Pepper did so and the three left the shop together. • Lawyer'Hallett: Was Scott drunk?— He had had enough. ' - And Power?— He. wais under-thein-fluence, too. And Pepper? — He seemed sober enough. You don't know if Pepper was a friend of Scott?— No. The' story of William Gebbie was that he was walking towards the

Yelled For Help

post office when he heard a cry, "Help! Help! They're robbing me." This was at 6.45- p.m. At the same time he saw Sergeant Doggett running to the scene so he , joined 'in the fun. He found Scott lying on the ground. Half running away was a man wearing a black hat and light raincoat, and with Scott was the man Power. The witness said he Heard Scott say "I didn't think you'd do that to me Tommy." Lawyer Hallett: Tou could not lden- / tify the man who half ran away ?— No-.'. And you've no idea" who he was?— * No. . .... .„_<. Sergeant George Alfred Doggett said* i that when he heard the call for help, he . : ran to the vacant section. A man on the ground was calling out "Help! They're robbing nic the — .J As soon as hie arrived, Power started to walk away, but he was promptly stopped. In the oppoiite direction was a man dressed m a black hat and light raincoat, but he was top far away to. be~ ; ■ stopped. .y-.-_. y When Power was pulled bafck, ha - said "It's all right. We wero sitting down having a drink and that silly old — — - started yelling out for help and. squealing like a big kid." t \ Scott then accused Power of robbing:: = - __ him while another

man ' struck him in' the face, .He^saidthat Power, had „ taken a __£10 arid » a £5 note.

At the police sta- . . tion N continued the sergeant,' the. senior-sergeant" asked Power if 'he' had "*' any money with him. Power replied that he might have a 10/- note which he had borrowed. A search of > his clothlngr, . however, brought to light a £10 note. When He wis infprmed'of the; discovery,. P<ower said: "if^l'd .known that -was there I would have dropped it before, coming m here." vc y- ; "/>-■ The sergeant said he saw;' Pepper the next morning, and Pepper admitted that he was wearing a light raincoat and black hat the previous evening. He admitted having taken Scott out 'of the Grand fruit shop m company with Power, so he was taken to the, police station and asked to explain his movements of the previous evening. Pepper wanted to know why and was promptly told of what he was suspected. To this he replied: "Well, if I'm a suspected person I will. make no statement. I can prove that I was home by twenty past six last night. Friends . . were at my house and can prove what time I arrived. I stayed m all night playing cards." Pepper added that it would take him from 12 to 15 minutes to walk froni the Grand fruit shop to his. home. Lawyer Hallett: On August 30 an identification parade was held?-— Yes. There were four men there with fawn coats ? — I don't know. I > didn't see it. : Lawyer Hallett contended that there was no; case to ; answer, against/ Pepper and instead of sending him for trial, his case should be dismissed. Justices G. Land and W. Hart, however, thought otherwise and committed both accused for trial at the Supreme Court. iiiiininiiniiiutimauinimntnmiiiiHmttinniHiimiiMiiiimHiituiuiniiiKtufitaiiinniuimiratiiFaa imiiMiiiiiiiiiliMiiimminiuniiiiuHinimiimuuiiraiiuuumiirauiiiiiimuiiuuiiiuimmiumuiiiiDC