BURGLAR AT MERCER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 148, 25 November 1913, Page 4

BURGLAR AT MERCER.

A in Trouble.

An American :ieg:u named Aichie William Taylor was br.-uglit befoic His Honor, Mr Justice Edward?, on Thursday at the criminal sessions of the Supreme Com t. Tin re were four charges against him, two of breaking and entering, one of receiving stolen good o , and 010 of olitaining money by faise pretences. The accused having pleaded guilty to one charge of breaking and entering and to the charge of receiving stolen gi'ols, tho Hon J. A. Tole, K.C. (Crown Prosecutor), intimated that he would accept this plea and not proceed with the other two charges. Mr J. K. Lundon, who appeared for the accused, said that his client was an American negro, who had had the benefit of a university education. Hi- was passionately fund of music, aud devoted all his timo to this art. He became a lirst-class trombone .tlayer. and joined a band of minstrels. The minstrels went to Australia, where they became stranded as their manager absconded. Owing to the restrictions of the Alien Immigration Act, the aecu el was told that he would have to leave Australia by a certain date, as he had only been allowed into the country under a bond. The accused, who had meantime married an English girl, was given a steerage ticket and a £1 note, which was all the money he had, and was shipped for Auckland. He was allowed to land as he passed the education test satisfactorily. This was at the end <>f September lost. The accusal, with only his skill upon the trombone to recommend him, found some difficulty in obtaining work. He got an engagement to begin at Exhibition time, and in tho meantime he opened a small shop for tho purpose of pressing and cleaning clothes At the end of October the accused went to Mercer. Noticing a wliare there, which was unoccupied, as the Maoris were in isola'ion, ho forced an entrance and stole some jewellery, goods and money. Tho accused, contiuucd counsel, then went back to Auckland and at once pawned the goods which he had stolen. "He might just as well have gone straight to the detective office," commented cjunsel, "as of coursj the goo Is were at once traced, and the accused airested." Council concluded by saying tint the accused's relatives would provide enough money to tako him back to America if he was given I another ch ince.

His Honour said that he had no wish to send the accused to prison if lie could help it. The accused was remanded.