COURT

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXII, Issue 20, 18 February 1927, Page 5

COURT

c MAORI CHARGED. BREAKING, ENTRY AND THEFT. r This morning at the, local Courthouse, before Messrs j. E. Hall and J. W. • Elliott, J’s.P., Nikora Timu was charged with breaking and. entering and theft from the house of Colin David Buddo, of Poukawa, on December 28th last; also from the premises of Messrs D. Dunbar, H. Gair, and the railway Refreshment Rooms at Waipukurau on or about Sunday, February 13th.

Detective Fitzgibbons conducted the case on behalf of the police.

C. D. Buddo stated that Timu had worked for him in December, but had left before Xmas. On Tuesday, December 28th witness left home shortly after breakfast, leaving no one at home, and the doors unlocked. He returned about 4.30 p.m. That evening he found that £5.1/- was missing from his clothes. The money had been there in the 1 morning. On or about 30th December accused came to the house and worked for half a day.

■ D. Dunbar said he was employed by the H.B. Stock Brokers’ Association and lived in Ruataniwha Strret.. On last Sunday he left his house at 1.30 for the day. The doors were all locked, but one window at the front was left open. Returned at 5 p.m. when he found that the premises had been entered in his absence and a gold ring, fountain pen, gold brooch, blank cheque and 3/-in-cash were missing. A chest of drawers in the front room had been ransacked, and a light was found burning in . the front bedroom. The window was sufficiently big for a man to enter. Recognised articles produced as having been taken from his house. The cheque for £7 signed “Mr D. Dunbar”- was from his book, but the signature was not his. . Accused had no questions to ask witness.

.' v H, J. G. Gair, sworn, said he was a draper, in Ruataniwha Street, Waipukurau. He lived on his p. remises at the rear of the shop. Loft the premises at 10 a.m. on Sunday and returned at about 8 p.m. He left the shop and dwelling apartment securely locked on leaving.' On his return found the side gate open though it had been left locked. A window was found broken, a small hole having been made just behind the latch, large enough Tor a nian’s fingers to enter f ronr outside. This window had been left locked when he went out. In consequence of something he heard on Monday hc*madc an examination of his stock and found 2 suit cases and various other articles to a value of approximately £l5, as described in the information; missing. These articles were in the shop on Saturday night. He identified the articles produced in the Court as his property. Kathleen Mary Tomkins, said she was a waitress in charge of the Railway Refreshment Rooms. Had been in the Rooms up till 9.30 on Sunday night. The premises and stock, were secure wdien she left. The stock was checked every Saturday. In consequence of something she heard on the 15th she took stock, and missed the articles described in the information. The total value of the articles was £2 14/3 and were the property .- of the N.Z. Government. The property produced in Court was similar to that missed.

Erie Joseph Gibbs, said he was- a Constable stationed at Danncvifke. At 9 a.m. on 15th February he arrested accused at Makirikiri, near Dannevirke. Recovered the gold ring, fountain pen, brooche and blank cheqpe, which were in accused’s possession. The two suit cases and contents in Court, also the cigarettes, tobacco, chewing gum, etc., were, in his possession. When arrested accused was with the Maoris at Makirikiri, and ho made a statement, to the effect that he had visited several premises in Waipukurau on Sunday, 13th i'nst.

Accused’s statement showed that ho had stayed at the Leviathan Hotel during the week-end and had entered the house of Mr Dunbar on . Sunday last‘and. later on the same afternoon ho entered the premises of Mr Gair, and took therefrom 2 suit cases containing wearing apparel -which he collected from the shop. He then returned to the Hotel and filled in the blank cheque, which he had taken from Mr Dunbar’s residence. He took the suit cases to the Railway Station, after which returned to the Hotel and had tea. He then went back to the station and opened a'window with a knife which he had taken from the hotel. The next day he went to Dannevirke and took the stolen property with him. The money he had taken from Mr Buddo’s residence had been spent at the races at Hastings on New Years* Day.