ALLEGED THEFT.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 January 1920, Page 6

ALLEGED THEFT.

LABORER SENT FOR TRIAL. In the Magistrate's Court at New Plymouth yesterday, before Mr. T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., Ernest Pariitt, laborer, Fitzroy, was charged with, on or about August 15th, 1919, stealing two windows and one door and a quantity of other timber, valued at £lO, the property of Mrs. J. M. Moorhousc, of Wellington. He was also charged with stealing a quantity of "ruberoidj" valued at °£4 10/- from the Taranaki Farmers' Meat Company.

Sub-Inspector 'Button prosecuted and Mr. C. 11. Croker represented accused. Evidence was given by Mrs. Mary Simpson to the effect tliat in August last Mr. and Mrs. Parfitt lived with her and her husband. Accused proceeded to build a two-roomed cottage in a section next to theirs. She had heard him talking about getting material from the bacon factory and tannery, and had on several occasions seen him carrying timber from the direction of the former building, including two windows and a door. A casement window she had Been him carrying was now in the building. In reply to Mr. Croker witness said the two families were not on good terms. "When a man strikes a'woman ami knocks her down she is not likely to be very friendly with him." She admitted having commenced proceedings to have Parfitt bound over to keep the peace but abandoned them because her only witness had . disappeared. This man (McArthur) had told her that the police were making inquiries about some stolen articles and if they were not careful they (the Simpsons) would be drawn into the trouble. Some questions were then put as to whether the witness was a married woman and to whom she was married. She replied that she was happy to say she was married, but declined to answer the question as to whom she was married.

Constable Wroblenski deposed to »oinoto Fiteroy to interview accused, on October I.lth. Prio/to going to him, witness made an examination of the bacon factory He found in a shed at the back of the factory some scantlin-s had been removed. It could easily be seen that they had been freshly sawn away from the roof portion. ' Sound partition hoards had also recently been removed. He then went into the main building and discovered that two windows and a door had been removed He went to Parfitt's house and saw his wife telling her the reason of his visit He noticed the entrance door to the house was the door from the bacon factorv Jnspde lie saw some timber which corresponded with that mining from the shed at the back of the bacon factory llie two windows, which he saw in Parfitt's house, corresponded in size to those taken from the bacon factory After further evidence the accused pleaded not aiiiltv to both charges and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed in accused's own recognisance of £SO. and he was required to report to the police at Fitzroy each evening until the opening of the court 9ession on Tuesday next.