THEFT OF GOLD CUPS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 110, 19 February 1937, Page 5

THEFT OF GOLD CUPS.

ACCUSED MAN FOUND GUILTY.

HOW THE TROPHIES WERE

RECOVERED.

(jrer Press Association). INVERCARGILL, February 18. The sequel to the disappearance at Burwood station last August of four valuable a-acing trophies was continued' in the Supreme Court to-day, when Richard Frederick Martyn, a cowman and gardener, employed by Hazlett brothers, was charged with the theft of trophies—four gold cups—the property of W. T. Hazlett. The cups were valued at £750 and when found six months after removal were badly damaged and 1 broken. Mr Justice Kennedy presided, Mr H. J. MacAlistor represented the Crown and Mr G. J. Reed, appeared for accused, who pleaded nob guilty. Lengthy evidence was’heard concerning the disappearance of the cups from the homestead! while the owner’s sons wore absent in Christchurch, and the subsequent efforts to . -recover - the trophies. John S. Hazlett said that on January 13 he heard an argument in the men’s huts and subsequent investigation disclosed that. the cups had been recovered in a, damaged condition from a plantation on the property. Witness detailed the: subsequent happenings, after which evidence was heard from several station employees, in the course of which reference was made to an alleged attempt at hanging accused, whose hands were tied at the back, a rope being placed round his neck and thrown over a tree. Accused gave in . and said he would show the hiding place of the cups, which were recovered as previously mentioned. Tire jury returned a verdict of guilty, and prisoner will be sentenced to-morrow.

REFORMATIVE TREATMENT.

PERIOD OF FIFTEEN MONTHS

INVERCARGILL, This Day,

Richard Frederick Martyn appeared at the Supreme Court this morning for sentence for the theft of four gold cups from the Burwood Station last August. Mr Justice Kennedy ordered prisoner to be detained for reformative purposes for 15 months. In passing sentence, his Honor said the crime had long been evolved in the prisoner’s mind, and for months the plunder had been concealed, and its whereabouts revealed only under duress.

“You have not been in trouble for many years,” added the Judge, “but your previous experiences should have taught you that dishonesty does not pay. In view of the fact that you have not been in trouble since 1918 I propose to make the sentence of reformative treatment and not hard labour.”