GUILTY OF THEFT

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 39, 2 October 1914, Page 5

GUILTY OF THEFT

RAWLES' CASE IN COURT. PROCEEDINGS AT TO-DAY'S SITTINC. "EXHIBITS" OF VARIED CHARACTER." MANY WITNESSES. There was a big crowd of spectators at the Court this morning, when Archibald Wilfred Rawles was presented to answer a series of charges of'theft. Sergt McNeely conducted the prosecution, and Mr J. R. L. Stanford appeared for accused. Mr G. W. Kenrick, S.M., was on the bench. The "exhibits" were of a varied character, and took up a good deal of sqpace, and the jury box was nearly full of witnesses. MOTOR GOODS.

The first charge was one of stealing between February 6th and August 20th, motor car and cycle tyres and tubes and sundry motor cycle gooda of a total value of £4l 12s 34, the property of Newton King. Herbert Walter Douglas, clerk in Mr Newton King's office, who acts as storeman of the firm's motor goods, gave" evidence that on June 20th. ho missed a, motor car cove* and missed one also on July 20th. Witness quoted the numbers of the missing tyres and stated that the number on each tyre was distinct—there were no two numbers alike. Neither of the tyres produced had been sold. The value of the tyres was six guineas each. Witness knew accused but had never sold him any tyres. Between March 9th and June Ist two Michelin tyres were missed. The tyres produced were similar to those stocked by the firm, but the numbers were not taken, so that witness could not swear to the tyres being the firm's property. Another Michelin tyre was missed between June Ist and August 28th. The tyre produced was exactly similar to the missing tyre, but there was no means of showing that it belonged' to the firm. Witness had not sold accused tyres of the description. The total value of the three Michelin tyres was £lllss. Two motor cycle tyres were missed on June Ist. Witness identified one tyre produced as being the same number as that on one of those missed.

Sergt. McNeely explained that three other tyre would form the biisis of a charge against Barrington, who is already in custody on another clnarge. Continuing, witness said he had missed three motor car tubes—one each on April 20th, Juno 20th .and July 20th. He had never sold any tubes to accused. Two Michelin car tubes were missed on August 2Sth. Those produced were similar to tho ones missed. A tin of insulation tape was missed. The tin produced was similar to the one missed. The oil can produced was also similar to one missed. Four tins of carbide were missed. Those produced were similar to the missing ones. The tins were made specially for the firm and he did not think tins of similar make would be found elsewhere in New Zealand. The lid of the tine differed from the usual style. The tin of motor grease produced was similar to two tins missed between June Ist and September 17th. The tin of belt grit produced was similar to some which was missed. Some Mobiloil was missed, and witness identified a 4-gal-lon tin produced as being similar to one missed.

Sergeant McNeely said the tin was found empty, but oil apparently taken from it was found in a benzine tin. Witness said five one-gallon tins of Mobiloil were missed between June Ist and September 17th. The two product ed were similar to the missing tins. Witness could not remember selling oil to accused. "Motoil" was missed, The tin produced was identical with the tins stocked. The firm were sole agents in Taranaki for this oil,, and he doubted if any would be fornd else;where in the district. "cl»een- July 'l7th and August Ist nine tins of Shell benzine, between February 2Sth ,and March 3rd one tin of Piatt's benzine, between March 6th tad 11th ou» I

case of motor spirit and another tween August !th and 6th wore mi Sergeant McNeely explained t&fti benzine and motor spirit would be "produced."' It was stored at Police Station. To Mr Stanford: Except for tubes and the benzine the artf missed might have been taken in or three months. Accused did often come to the garage, and to ness' knowledge he had mot beet for the past four months. It possible for anybody to go in out of the garage in daylight will being noticed. The values of missing articles quoted were tke j ing values. The last time a*ov made a purchase at the gapage fi witness was five or six months a Accused still owed the firm for benzi Accused might have made pureha from somebody else in the garage ; witness not know about it.

To Sergeant McNeely: Witness k the kooks in connection with the $ age. The books showed that accu oought a tin of motor spirit on F ruary 14th and another on June 5t A POLICH SEARCH. Constable McCowan gave evidei that about September 14th, Mr Doi las reported that he had missed mo tyres and tubes from his stock, a gave witness the numbers of the mi ing Dunlop tyres. On September If witness had an opportunity of seei accused's car and on one of the ba wheels he saw a tyre which bore number quoted by Mr Douglas, warrant was then issued for accusec arrest on a charge of stealing th tyre. When witness arrested accus he said he had got the tyres fro George Wilson, a traveller for Ho der and Tolley, Palmerston, receivil them in Palmerston. Later, accus< said he received them in Stratfor Wilson bringing them through mil car. Accused's car was impound< and stored in King's garage. Hei Itim other missing Dunlop tyre wt found-on the other back wheel. Tl ; front wheels were fitted with Micht lin tyres and tubes, identified, by M

Douglas. In the locker were foun tiie three new Dunlop tubes. The witness went to accused's shop i Liroadway and found the motor cycl oyre and tube (previously produced) o the back wheel of his motor cycle. A the back of the shop, behind a cous ter, witness found a Michelin tyr and an empty 4-gallon Mobiloil 'tin the latter being among some empt benzine tins. In the back right-han corner of the shop he found two oim gallon tins of Mobiloil and a tin o Motoil, the tin of insulation tape an* the oilcan. In a small bux at th end of the counter witness found th< carbide, grease and belt grit pre» ously produced. In a back room wsec as a kitchon s witness found a ben zine tin full of Mobiloil. Tke a* tides indentified by the previous wit nes were those found by witness; Twelve tins of benzine were fount at the shop. Some were under th< counter, some under the shelves, anc two or three tins were on the shelves, In all, there were 34 tins on the premises, hut 22 were empty. By Mr Stanford: Tke articles were all more or less easy to find. The Mobiloil tin was behind a row of empty [benzine tins. Accused gave no trouble when arrested. During witness' term in Stratford accused had never beon before th# Court.

A DHNIAL. George Guthrie Wilson, commercial traveller representing Hodder and Toiley> Palmerston, said the lines he travelled in were seeds and produce., Witness knew accused, but had never had any dealings with him in motor car or motor cycle tyres. To Mr Stanford: On one occasion witness had procured a small motor cycle part for accused.

SALE OF A TYRE. Roy James Mudford, motor car driver, said accused had spoken to him, offering to seft a Michelin nitftor car tyre. This was in the early part of July. Accused said he had bought it for his car, but that it was too big. He said he had bought the tyre from Stevens and Byrn, New Plymouth, and as the shop had been closed he could not return it. He asked £2.for, it, I Witness bought the tyre, but delivery was not given at once. Witness went to accused's shop to take delivery, but accused said the tyre nob there. The was put on witness' car, and was later handed over to the police. Henry William Mudford, motor garage proprietor, said thafc on July 10th accused brought a Michelin tyre to the garage, saying it had been bought by Roy. The tyre was a new one. Bernard Byrn, motor engineer, NewPlymouth, said that up till recently he was it* busines in New Plymouth as a motor garage proprietor. Accused had never bought from hinf a tyre such as the one produced. This closed the case for tho prosecution.

, ACCUSED PLEADS CJ T ILTY. Accused pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme court for sentence. The S.M. said accused would be sent for sentence to the nearest place where a Judge was available—probably Wellington.