THE BROWNING CASES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 86, 8 November 1916, Page 3

THE BROWNING CASES.

WELLINGTON SUPREME COURT. ACCUSED DISCHARGED. The New Zealand Times report of the trial was as follows : George Browning (for whom Mr A. H. Johnston appeared) was arraigned on six charges of breaking, entering, theft and receiving at Stratford. It was alleged for the Crown that the prisoner arranged with a lad of 15, named Milton Barlow, to rob a sample room at the County Hotel, two drapers' shops, and two doctors' garages of various articles of clothing, a revolver, motor appliances, etc Prisoner was a carpenter in the employ of Barlow's, father, and' for;a time the boy was living with'him. On his suggestion two acetylene generators were buried in a garden. Two months after young Barlow left Browning's place the police, got on the track of the robberies, and Constable Robertson found some of the stolen goods at' Browning's. Barlow, who had already been convicted, gave evidence for the Crown,

The prisoner giving evidence denied the whole story of Barlow, and said lie knew nothing about various articles identified as heing stolen. As lo the motor accessories lie claimed them as his own property, he having a motor cycle. He suspected that Barlow had stolen , property on the premises, and he had heard of the rohheries, but did not feel that lie was called upon to bother himself in the matter.

Jessie Browning, a widow, mother of, the prisoner, was also called'for the defence. She identified : three unwashed towels as belonging to her, explaining that she bought them at Manov's last year.

In summing up His Honour said the weakness of the Crown was that the first two robberies took place- on June 15th, and according to the prisoner's story young Barlow did not go to live with him until the 19th. After a short retirement the jury, brought in a verdict of "not guilty," and the accused was discharged. His Honour expressed the opinion that the'police should inquire into the question of dates and the alleged purchase of a hat and towels. He "ordered that the latter should be retained until ordered to be given up by the court.