CHARGE AGAINST SKINNER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 172, 21 July 1903, Page 2

CHARGE AGAINST SKINNER.

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

In connection with the alleged series of robberies from Messrs John Burns sfod Company's Customs-street warehouse, a painter named Harold Skinner, of Clarence-street, Ponsonby, was charged before Mr H. W. Brabant, S.M., with receiving, knowing it to have been stolen. 2cwt white lead, 10 gallons linseed oil, three gallons varnish, three half rolls scrim, 141b putty, a tin of Venetian red, and a till of driers, the property of Messrs John Burns and Co. The Hon. J. A. Tole prosecuted, and the accused was undefended. Evidence similar to that given yesterday, to the effect that the goods were stolen from Messrs Burns and Co.'s warehouse was given, and Mr Robert Burns identified a tin of driers from which the name of the firm had been obliterated. Skinner had no account in the firm's books, he said. William Henry Morpefch, ironmonger of Ponsonby, was ca-Iled to etata that the accused nerer bought aaiy pajlntlag materials from ldm.

Detective Hollis deposed to visiting Skinner's residence, Clarence-street, Ponsonby, on July 9. He saw Mrs Skinner, who conducted him to a shed at the back, where he saw 2cwt white lead, 2 drums of linseed oil, 2.} rolls scrim, 281b putty 281b ven&tian red, and 281b driers. The name of "Bums, Auckland," had been freshly painted out from the tins of driers and red. He. saw Skinner later in the day and asked him how he had got the goods. Skinner said he had ordered the oil and white lead from Mr Morpeth. Witness said that he did not believe him or Worms, the carter, and Skinner then replied, "I oa,n see what I've done. In trying to screen them 1 have got into trouble myself." Witness produced a voluntary statement made to him by the accused, which was to the effect that he gave Worms £5 in gold on July 3 to get two cwt whitelead and two drums of oil. Those were delivered. The other goods had been in his possession for some time. Accused subsequently made another statement contradicting the first, and stating that Worms had offered to get him material at 25 per cent, discount upon current prices, and he gave an order for the articles mentioned in the charge. Worms delivered the goods and asked him to say, if anyone a-sked him, that he had obtained the lead and oil from Mr Morpeth. He 3aid the goods were being got through the storeman Farrow at Burns' warehouse. Skinner saw Farrow, who alleged he had "squared" Mr Morpeth with £5, but suggested obliterating the firm's name from the tins, which he did.

This was the case for the prosecution.

Accused pleaded not guilty and resei-v----ed his defence. He was committed for trial at the Supreme Court. Bail was granted, .accused in a surety of £100 and two of £ 50 each.