A MAORI'S THEFTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 292, 7 December 1920, Page 8

A MAORI'S THEFTS.

CAUGHT IN THE ACT. ■;rJy 'i'elesrapb.—Own Correspondent.) WANGAXUI, this day. Rangi Henarc, who ivas found in a dwelling house at Aramoho last week and who had a tussle on the occasion with a nurse, was before the Court today on a series of charges. He was first of all charged with breaking and entering, and was also charged that on October 20, at Pipiriki, he did steal live bottles of whisky valued at ii 15/, the property of A. Hatrick and Co.; also that on November 16, at Te Kuiti, he did steal one box of rifle cartridges valued at £2 7/, the property of Williams Bros. In regard to the charge of breaking and entering the circumstances related in Court were identical with those already published. Kvidence of identification of accused was given by Nurse D. Anderson, who saw accused in the house and grappled with him. The witness also stated that she found accused's coat next morning containing a letter addressed to a Maori girl at Pipiriki. Evidence was given 'by the writer of the note, who eaid she handed it to the accused to deliver to the Maori girl.

Constable McMullan stated that when arrested accused denied all knowledge of entering the house, but next morning admitted that he had entered iby the window. Accused also admitted that he had been drinking and did not know why he entered the house, and got a big fright when discovered by the nurse. Accused was then committed to the Supreme Court, bail being fixed in two sureties of £50. In regard to the theft of whisky evidence was given that five bottles of -whisky had 'been taken from a case on the steamer on the run up to Pipiriki. Accused, when spoken to at first denied the theft, but had subsequently admitted that he had taken the bottles and planted them in some scrub, and later some natives helped him to drink the whisky. Accused also admitted taking the cartridges from the cargo, and when arrested was wearing a belt filled with cartridges. Sentence waa deferred on the latter charges until Thursday morning, pending the result of inquiries being made 'by the police.