POLICE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 30, 6 February 1899, Page 5

POLICE COURT.

Conflict of Evidence.—Charles Rogers, an elderly man of respectable appearance, was charged with stealing 10/ of the moneys of Alexander Aitken, auctioneer. He pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr O'Me'agher. A clerk in Air Aitken's employ, named Leonard Challis, stated' that Rogers came to the mai* one ■ day to pay for a dog he had bought.' Rogers put down half a sovereign, from which witness deducted the price of the dog (6/) find banded back four shillings, with the remark 'That settles it.' 'Not till I get; my other half sovereign.' replied Rogers. Witness held out his hand with the half sovereign in it to show what the coin was, but Rogers snatched it from him and' went off with it, refusing to give it back. Another Cleric, Andrew Johnston, gave corroborative evidence. He was positive Rogers only tendered a half sovereign, The defence was that Rogers put down a sovereign, and to confirm this statement a cheque was produced showing that lie had been paid £.'! in gold that day by a bank. Rogers said the only money he had. when he went into tbe mart was throe sovereigns and three shillings. He did not snatch tbe half sovereign. bi> + picked it up oft' the counter r.s part of hU proper change. Evidence as to the accused's good character was also called. The Bench dismissed the information.