POLICE COURT.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 452, 29 July 1919, Page 1

POLICE COURT.

Alleged False Pretences.

At a sitting of the- Pukekohe Police Court, before Messrs J. T. Stembridge and F. Perkins J P.'s, on Thursday last, a native named Thvi Rawei, or Dick Wilson, labourer, of Patumahoe, was charged (1) That on July 12th, 1019, he obtained goods, to wit one pair of trousers, one pair of hoots and one pair of socks, valued at £3 Ha fid, from Messrs P. Henry and Son, of Patumahoe, merchants, by means of certain false pretences ; (2) That on July 14th, 1919, at Puni, he did steal one oilskin overcoat valued at £2, the property of Taka Tu Tamati; (3) That on the same date he stole £l, the property of Joe Napier ; and (4) he stole 18s the property of Lizzie Hapa. On the first two charges accused, who was not represented by Counsel, pleaded guilty, while he denied the latter charges of stealing money. Sergt. Ccwan prosecuted. Joe Napier, a native, said he lived in a whare near Puni. On Monday, July 14th, he left the whare and left £7 in a drawer. On the following Tuesday Lizzie Hapa returned to the house and found 18s of her money gone as well as £1 belonging to witness. Witness never returned to the whare.

Sergt. Cowan said as there was no evidence to show that the money was stolen he wished to withdraw the third and fourth charges. The application was granted. Taka Tu Tamati, who resides at Bombay, said on July 14th he left an oilskin coat under Joe Napier's whare. He returned the same night and found it missing, The coat produced belonged to witness.

Constable Wolfendale said at about 1.30 on Wednesday afternoon he arrested the accused at Onewhero. He admitted taking the overcoat from under Joe Napier's house. The clothing he obtained from Henry he was wearing. He admitted the coat belonged to Taka. Samuel Caddy, contractor, Karaka, said he knew the accused as he was in witness' employ prior to July 12th. He never gave accused any authority whatsoever to obtain clothes from Mr Henry, but he had given him authority to purchase articles of food on the Saturday prior to July 14th. Accused asked witness to give him a few "bob". He gave him 10s and accused walked away. lie (witness) had never seen him since, until he saw him in Court. He did not owe accused anything, but if he had to pay for the drapery he would be about £4 or £5 out of pocket. To Mr Perkins : They were pretty well squared up. The accused, when asked if he had any questions to ask witness, said that at the same time as he asked for the 10s he asked for an order to get goods from Mr Ilenry and witness told him he could get what he wanted.

Witness, continuing, denied that he gave accused authority to get the articles.

J. Henry, storekeeper, at Patumahoe, remembered July 12th when accused went into the shop. During 6 o'clock and 7 o'clock the premises were closed and it was when the shop was reopened that accused went in. He ordered some goods and then requested to be shown some drapery. He wanted a pair of socks, trousers, and riding pants Witness told accused that he wanted a special order to get the things. Accused said it was alright as Mr Caddy had told him to get them Witness asked if Mr Caddy had s-juared up with him. Accused replied "Oh no, he has never paid me since I went there." He then asked for a pair of boots and Mr Henry said he once more pressed for a special order, but accused said he went to Mr Caddy for a special order but Mr Caddy told him as he had no pen he could not give him an order, but he could go and get the goods The order witness had authorising accused to get foodstuffs had not been countermanded. The reason he pressed for the special order was that he knew men like accused m : ght never return to work and that Mr Oaddy might be let in. He told accused that if Mr Caddy had nearly squared up with him lie would not 4ive him the goods. Accused got a t >air of boots valued £1 17s fid, a ;mir of riiling- breeches £1 s (id, and t >nir of socks '2s fid. If it had have 'Men foodstuffs he would have supplied accused with what he de'ii.ir.ded. Ho also ordered some lo.idstulfs but never took thom away. I hi'V h id been put back into stock mil crcilitt d to Mr Cuddy's account. In reply to tin* Hunch, accused s.iid 11•• no chance just now of gut'll i';; in- X I As-there was no vviyi'i ulncli in rep'iy the owner of he cl'.tiling ncciis.-d wits convicted ■n l i M'l.ioi.ci-d to two months'hard ilinir, whil-on the second count hj" w is convicted and discharged.

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