THEFT CHARGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 May 1938, Page 7

THEFT CHARGE

YOUNG MAN BEFORE COURT. MAGISTRATE ADJOURNS CASE. A charge of theft of a registered letter containing the sum of £7 in money the property of Ethel May Cross was preferred against Ronald Arthur Murray Clarke, 18, of Masterton, in- the Magistrate’s Court this morning. Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M., presided. Accused elected to be dealt with summarily and entered a plea of not guilty. Detective Sergeant W. Kane stated that Mrs Cross was in the habit of getting a fortnightly remittance from her husband. The accused, who was employed as a porter at the Midland Hotel, admitted having received the letter, which he had signed for but he did .not know what had become of it since then. He maintained that he had not stolen it. Mr C. C. Marsack, who appeared for accused, said although Clarke had signed for the letter he asserted that he had not stolen it. He put the letter in the office with the rest of the mail and immediately went about his other duties. When he placed the letter in the office it was no longer his responsibility, as there was a woman in charge of the office. There was only a suspicion attaching to accused, as he was the last one known to have handled the letter, but there was no proof that he had stolen it. It was unfortunate that it was Show Day when the letter was received, as Clarke was kept very busy with his duties and there was a large number of guests at the hotel. It was quite possible if the office were left for a moment or two, for some one else to have stolen the letter.

The accused, giving evidence, said that at the time the mail was put in the office he did not think there was anyone in the office. It was not locked when anyone was absent and was used by guests for ringing up. He said he first heard of the loss of the letter some weeks afterwards.

The Magistrate, who referred to certain discrepancies in a statement made by the accused to the police and to that now made, adjourned the case until August 11.