MASTERTON S.M. COURT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8372, 5 March 1907, Page 5

MASTERTON S.M. COURT.

A man, named Frederick Thomas McGregor, was charged at the Masterton S.M. Court last evening, before Mr W. P. James, S.M., with the theft of £6 from William Coombes on March Ist. Accused had appeared before Mr E. McEwen, J.P., in the morning, and had been remanded to appear before Mr James in the evening.

The accused was represented by Mr C. A. Pownall/and pleaded not guilty. Detective Rawle conducted the case for the prosceution. William Coombes stated that he came in from Flat Point with accused on March Ist, and went with him to the Club Hotel, where they each had a drink. Witness cashed a cheque for £8 7s Bd. He went into the hotel latpr on with two other men, named Sorenson and Nelson, and again met accused, who said that witness had better give him (accused) £6 to take care of. Witness did so. He saw McGregor next morning at a boarding-house, and asked him for the money he had given him the previous evening. Accused said he had given him £2 the night before. Witness said he had not, and went to the Police Sta- | tion and reported the matter. Wit-1 ness returned to the boarding-house j with Constable Egan, and again asked for his money. Accused said he had given him the full amount on the previous afternoon. Witness was quite sure he did not receive any money from the accused. Jacob Sorenson, Frederick Nelson and Mrs Remington also gave evidence. Detective Rawle said he and Constable Egan arrested McGregor. Witness read a statement which accused made when he was arrested, in which he stated that he paid Coombes his money on Friday. Accused also said that he brought a cheque of £3 15s from Te Wharau, and his father sent him £l. He paid his wife £l, and the boarding-house keeper £4, and he had 8s 6d when arrested. This concluded the case for the prosecution. William Hazel said he saw McGregor and his wife at J. R. Nicol's auction room on Friday afternoon. Coombes was also there, and he saw accused give Coombes some notes. Evidence was also given by H. R. Collins and A. Hathaway. Accused, on oath, stated that his statement handed into the police was correct. He gave the money back to Coombes on Friday afternoon. The Magistrate considered that the evidence was not sufficient to convict, and dismissed the case.

CABLE NEWS.

By Telegraph—Piess Association—Copyright