ALLEGED THEFT.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 August 1922, Page 7

ALLEGED THEFT.

OKATO RESIDENT CHARGED. LOSS OF FARMER’S PLANT. The alleged illegal removal by Henry Louis Brennan of some chaff cutting plant from the farm of William Grant, of Puniho, was responsible for Brennan’s appearance before Mr. A. M. Mowlem, S.M., at the New Plymouth Court, yesterday. The police case was in the hands of DetectiveSergeant Coney, while Mr. Freeman, appeared for the accused. Evidence was given by William Grant, to the effect that he had some chaffcutting machinery in one of his farms, which he had purchased 12 years ago. He had not used this machinery, and as far as he could see it was in good working order. All the horse-power part and the shafo had been removed, the weight of the gear being about six or seven hundredweight. When the machinery had been reported missing he had found the marks of a light four-wheeled waggon from where the chaffcutter had stood out to the main road. He had then reported the matter to the police, and had subsequently identified at Rollo and Miller’s foundry the parts produced as being his property. He valued the machinery at £lO. The accused had no right or authority to go on to his property and remove the machinery. The wheel would take four men to lift.

G. S. Millar, of the firm of Rollo and Millar, gave particulars of the purchase from accused on July 24 of. 20$ cwt. of cast and wrought iron, most of which was broken up. He had not asked the accused any questions as to where it came from. On July 26 accused had brought another lot of about 10 cwt., for which he had not yet been paid. Payment for the first lot had been made by cheque, accused giving the name of H. Brennan.

Corroborative evidence was given by William Edward Keating, an employee at the foundry, concerning the machinery brought in by accused. When asked wher2 it came from, accused had stated: “Out of the country.”

Detective-Sergeant Cooney supplied the Court with particulars concerning his in quiries and his visit to the accused’s home at Okato. He had told accused that a complaint had been made by Mr. Grant concerning the stolen machinery, and that the accused had sold parts of the same machinery o Rollo and Millar’s foundry. Accused had acknowledged taking the machinery, adding that he thought it was of no use. When told who his visitors were, accused had said: “I can see now it is a serious matter.” Accused produced some more of the machinery, and added that he had intended to see Mr. Grant that day at the Okato sale and tell him about it. Accused had then been brought to New Plymouth and charged with the theft. In reply to counsel, the detective stated that Brennan ha:’, been very frank and open and had given him every assistance. He had not attempted to hide anything from him.

Accused pleaded “not guilty,” reserved his defence, and was committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court. Bail was allowed in one surety of £lOO or two of £5O.