Ten Coats Stolen.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7872, 14 July 1905, Page 3

Ten Coats Stolen.

THE SUSPECT BEFORE THE COURT. William Hrock, alias Arthur Clarke, was brought belore Mr Hutchison, S.M., on Thuisjlay morning, on remand, and charged with the theft oi two saddles, of the total value of £6 IDs, the property of the Very Rev Dun McKenna, and an overcoat, valued at 3Us, belonging to J. Hill. Acpuicd elected to be dealt 'with summarily, and pleaded guilty. Sergeant Haddrell stated that the coat was stolen from the Coffee Palace and sold for ss. In regard to the saddles, accused was given employWent for a few days by Dean McI'tama. Accused had access to the i IMaa's stables, and in a tew days j the two saddles disappeared. Then- i ■poAsibiiity of the loss fell-upon the grown (John Steplelon) wilt whom accused sympathised. The Scryi-aiit asked that the money advanu*t on the stolen property (£1 13s) be deducted from accused's estate, he laving £7 due to him from Government work at t'uiturviiic. ilo suicd that the police were al pits.nt trying to trace the whereabouts ot ten coats lately stolen and ascertain the culprit, lire publicity given lo the proceedings on the day previous had brought forward one man who bought a coat (produced) from accused, and tbe police hoped that others would do likewise as a result ql the further publicity which wuuhl be given to the case. He therefore asked that sentence be deferred to give the police a chance of sheeting home to accused further offences oi ' which it was believed he was guilty. Accused said he was sorry for whit be had done, but he was under the iafujence of drink at the lime. TheS.M. was reluctant to accept Ute explanation, and Sergeant Haddrell showed how it was not possible for accused to have committed the offences while suffering from intemperance. Sentence was deferred for a and the matter of making deductions from accused's estate was left over till tbe money comes into his possession.

On -charges of theft of two overcoats at Wanganui, accused was remanded to tint town for trial.