"THANK YOU, SIR”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 588, 14 February 1929, Page 1

"THANK YOU, SIR”

PRISONERS’ GRATITUDE BORROWED COATS IN RAIN (From Our Own Corj-esponder t) PUKEKOHE, Wednesday. '*God bless you, sir.” "Thank you, sir; thank you.”

It was in these terms that Arthur William Cole and Thomas Scurrah addressed Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M., at the Pukekohe Court to-day, when he dismissed charges of theft against them.

The pair were charged with the theft of two overcoats from the I louse of Lieutenant E. G. Moncrief, N.Z.S.C., at Pukekche on February 2. Mr. Moncrief and his daughter testified that the front door of the house had been locked, the windows bolted and the rear door shut, but not locked, upon leaving. Cole, a builder, of St. Heliers Bay, in a statement to the police, said he was employed at Bombay, and upon returning from St. Heliers in the evening met Scurrah, a stranger to Aim, in the bar of the Pukekohe Hotel, where they had a few "handles.” They then set out to walk to Bombay, but before leaving the town it began to rain, and they sheltered under some trees. Cole said he went into the house and finding the back door open, took the two coats from the passage, fully intending to return them. However, when on the road to Bombay they were overtaken by the police and arrested. The other man, Scurrah, a butcher residing at Bombay, said Cole Vianded him a coat, saying he had borrowed it. When questioned later by Scurrah, Cole admitted having stolen it. Both accused declared they had not been charged with theft hitherto. Scurrah admitted being before the Court for using obscene language. Sergeant J. T. Cowan said both were under the influence of liquor when arrested. They had been in cuistody for ten days. The magistrate classed the offence as a foolish escapade and said both had been sailing close to' the wind. They had not endeavoured to aide the overcoats, as they were wearing them. The informations would be dismissed.