HOTEL THEFTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 135, 8 June 1914, Page 6

HOTEL THEFTS.

GTTEST ROBBED OF £1O JX GOLD. OTHER CASES BEFORE THE COURT. The theft of a sum amounting to about £10 in gold was reported 'to the police as having occurred at the Royal Hotel, \ ictoria Street, yesterday morn in jr. Mr. Harokl 'Hunter, a farmer, of the Thames district, who came to Auckland a few daye ago with his wife, for a rhort holiday, -was th-e victim. Both he and Mrs. Hunter lefit their -room to bath, and when .Mr. Hunter was afterwards 'dresssrng, he discovered that some loose gold had been taken from .hk pocket. He acquainted liifi wile of the fact, svnd advised her to ascertain whether her jewellery and cash were safe. An examination proved fcha-t ■they were, even a gold watch and some rings which had been left on the dressing table having remained untouched.

-Mr. and Mrs. Hunter were oreupy.rny a room on the top floor, and all the bathrooms set. apart for gentlemen on that floor were iji uce he descended to th e floor beneath, thus caus : ng a more le-ngthy afeenee than might have occurred. Both Mr. and iMts. Huirter fitate tliat they are at a complete ]ose to ax> count for the theft.

Other petty thefts have bee-n reported as having occurred in leading hotels reoentry, and last week the police arrested a man who has einee been in custody.

David Stuart. Coohran, affed 27 years, came before Mr. E. ('. Outten. S.m'., this morning, and admitted that lie had stolen from the Royal Hotel on May 7, watch, chain an<l match-bnx (value £1:1). the property of C. .1. Flewellyji; and, on June 4. an overcoat and pair of gloves (value £3 15/). the property «f H. \. Cohen: and that on June 5 he stole from the British Hotel an overcofat (value £2 13/). 'the property of K. Burkhardt.

Chief Detective- McMaliou said that Oochran followed "the occupation of steward on the coastal boats, but a few ■weeks mm he startp<l drinking, -and wlirn short of money be tnnk the thins* mentioned from tile hotels, in order to raise money. This was tile fir.-t net of dishonesty known against him by the police. ami probably ji t-n-m of reformatory treatment would do 'him no harm.

Accused, whose only t-xensn was th.i.t 'ho had been drinkinsr at <the time of tire tlwfts, was sentence*! to twelve months' TcformatOTy treatment.