CLEARING THE YARD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 169, 17 July 1907, Page 2

CLEARING THE YARD.

AIiEGFED DAYLIGHT ROBBERY.

A young man named George Henry Came appeared at the Police Court this morning, charged with attempting to Hteal a quantity of pig iron from the premises of Briscoc and Co. on April 18 fctst. Chief-Detective .Marsaek prosecuted, accused being defended by Mr. Xiundon. Mr. Marsaek explained that there were three men implicated in the business, but the other two had not yet been found.

John Turley, manager at Briseoe and Co-s, said that about midday on the day in question he saw prisoner and another man loading pig iron into a cart, while a tt'i.u. man was standing near the bead ef the horse. L"pon being asked upon whose authority they were taking the iron, one of the men replied that they bad br"en sent to clear the yard of iron, mentioring a firm as having sent them. JTi-s FUspv-ioi-.-t aroused, lie ordered the carter (an innocent party to the affair) not to go, and rung up the firm. Upon coming out of the office again the three men had disappeared. They had loaded about £5 worth of iron, but had apparently intended to take a two-ton load.

Ernest Cantle, the carter engaged, said that accused employed him to shift some iron, and the three accompanied him to Briscoe's, one of them asking him how much ife could take, his answer being, "Abo'it a couple oi tons."

Detective Cox said that when arrested accused denied any remembrance of the affair.

Accused stated on oath that he was asked by one of the other men if he wanted to make a few shillings, and upon reply in tbc affirmative was sent to engage a carter to shift some iron. He himsr'f knew nothing of their intentions, and when tlicy ran away from Briscoc"s yard he remarked to the carter, "What's the game" and held his ground. Afterwards he went in search of them, and then returned to where the cart was standing.

After hearing the evidence the Bench expressed the opinion that there was very little doubt that accused was implicated. His record was also a very bad one, but trie Bench decided to give him another chance, and dismissed him.