ALLEGED THEFT

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10717, 11 September 1912, Page 7

ALLEGED THEFT

A CHARGE DISMISSED. At the Magistrate's Court, Maiterton, yesterday morning, before Messrs G. Heron and J. Brown, J's.P., EdLdnard Vjorge Harris appeared on leauuidj on a charge of having stolen a bag c f chaff valued at 2s, the property of .Harry Wooding, Lansciowne. Accused, who pkv.ded not guilty, was represented by Aij- 1?. K. jaekh,m aiul c Miiier conducted the prosecution.

. Evidence was given by Harry Wooding who stated that on Sunday laet noticed a man wearing a hat and tont similar to those produced in Court come into the paddock and take .the chaff out of tho horses' trough. Witness went up to the man and; found it was accused, win domed taking tho chaff. " When witness told accused lie would have to ■come with him, accused dropped tin chaff and ran away. Constable Brown gave evidence as to arresting accused, who denied having boon in the paddock, or having taken the chaff. Thomas Harris stated that accused came to JnV, father's house at about ' Accused left the house at a quarter to 6. Accused had no overcoat on when he left the house. William Young stated that he saw accused about 6 o'clock on Sundax night at the house where witness war residing. As far as witness Icnov. accused had been at tho house until about 8 o'clock. Alexander Simpson stated that L was in the house spoken of on" Sunday last. Accused was at the nouse in the afternoon and in the evening Accused left the house at a qurater tr 8. Witness saw accused about si'" o clock, and the latter remained wit! Shim- for about an hour. | To the Sergeant: Witness statethat accused was not in his company all the time. •

Edward 'George Harris, accused, sa:<" that on Sunday lasrfc ho was at his house till about 4 o~Tock, and visitec' his parents' place at five o'clock. H< ■had no overcoat on. About ten minutes to six he reached heme, reaching there about two minutes to sis. He was talking with Simpson for ahout three-quarters of an hour. T only time ] lO was away- from tho hornwas when lie went to feed his dogs, this occupying a few mjnutes. I.he Ben ch said that the evidence way very unsatisfactory. They woul- f give tho accused the benefit of th~ doubt and dismiss ,the charge.