THEFT OF CLOCK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 43, 30 November 1940, Page 2

THEFT OF CLOCK.

TWO ACCUSED CONVICTED,

PLEAS NOT ACCEPTED. The alleged theft of a clock was charged against Joseph Matthew Nolan and Francis Gertrude Banner in the Ashburton Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon, before Mr H. Morgan, S.M. The clock, the property of Albert James Holland, was valued at £2.

Accused pleaded not guilty. Senior-Sergeant J. F. Cleary' said that the clock was in Holland’s House next door to accused’s place. "When Holland was arrested it was found that the clock was missing. It was located at accused’s place, and it was stated that the article had been taken by accused as part payment- for £lO worth of food that had been supplied to Holland,

Holland denied that he owed any money to Nolan. He did not remember that he paid only 4s 6d for the clock. He agreed to pay 25s a week for meals at Nolan’s, and had taken things to Nolan’s place. He denied that Noian had sent word to him. at the police station that he was taking the clock.

Constable T. Harris said he saw the clock in Holland’s room on the day of Holland’s arrest. When witness went back two days later the clock was missing. Nolan gave a statement admitting taking the clock because Holland owed him money for meals. The Magistrate said it seemed strange that Nolan should have taken a clock (valued by himself at only 4s 6d) as part payment for £lO worth of meals, when there was other property that could have been taken. Nolan wotdd be convicted.

The same facts were given in the case against Banner, who, it was stated, was housekeeping for Nolan, who said he was engaged to Banner. Holland, questioned by Banner, denied that he had shown her a paper from the Public Trust Office stating that he was coming into more money and would then pay up what he owed. He was sure he had brought in more than 10s worth of food a week.

Banner said she had told a man to whom she had given clothes to be taken to Holland at the Police Station, to tell Holland that they had taken the clock till something was paid off what was owed.

Holland said he did not receive any such message. Nolan was fined £3, and Banner was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called on in six months.