THEFT OF SUITCASE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20957, 9 November 1939, Page 6

THEFT OF SUITCASE

OFFENCE AT FRANKTON MAORI FOR SENTENCE PLEA OF GUILTY ENTERED Pleading guilty in the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, to-day before Mr S. h. Paterson, S.M., to a charge of stea mg a suitcase and other articles, valued at £44 8s 6d, the property of Cyril Stewart James, Sam Repia, a Maori farm labourer, of Tirau, was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. The theft took place at the Frankton railway station on October 10. The prosecution was conducted by Detective-Sergeant J. Thompson.

Cyril Stewart James, traveller, of Wellington, said that on October 9 he left Wellington by the limited express for Auckland. He placed his suitcase on the carriage rack. On arrival at Frankton he left his suitcase in the carriage while he went to the refreshment room, and on his return it was missing. It contained £ls, a camera, clothing and other personal effects to the value of £44 8s 6d. The suitcase and articles produced in Court were his. Constable T. J. Cotter, of Putaruru, said he interviewed the accused at Tirau on October 24, and Repia admitted taking the suitcase from the train. A statement in which accused detailed his movements with a man named Horsfall was read by witness. When accused took James’ suitcase Horsfall took two others.

Detective J. Hayes said that Repia told him later that Horsfall did not go to the Frankton railway station and did not steal any suitcases. From the suitcase he stole, accused sold the camera, but it was later recovered.