ALLEGED THEFT.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 171, 21 July 1924, Page 7

ALLEGED THEFT.

Or ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. COMMITTED FOR TRIAL, j At" the Police Court-this morning, before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., John Onslow Wheeler (31), for whom Mr. Schramm appeared, was charged that, on or about April 8, he did break, and enter the warehouse of Turnbull and Jones and steal 20 electric switches and a quantity of wire, of a total value of £20' 14/. He was further charged wth breaking and entering Turnbull and Jones' about April 14 and stealing electrical switches, valued at £9 13/, and with stealing eight coils of leadcovered wire on July 1. Lengthy evidence was : given by several witnesses, a taxi-driver stating that on eeveral occasions he drove accused to Rutland Street at night, when aeensed went into the rear of Turnbull aud Jones' and. came out with c-oils of wire. When asked whether everything was above-board,, accused stated that everything was all right, and that his cart* had broken down. Important testimony was given by a. man who resided in the St. John's Ambulance Association's buildings in Rutland Street, opposite the rear of Turnbull and •Jones. This witness said he Eaw a man pull up with his horse. and cart and go into Turnbull and Jones at 6.30 a.m. on. two mornings. .He came out with bundles of what looked like coils of wire and placed them in the cart. About 12 or 14 : ' trips were made in all. Witness identified accused as the driver of the horse and cart. Accused . had previously acted as a .casual carter for Turnbull and Jones. He pleaded not' guilt}*, reserved his defence, and was committed fer trial at ■ the Supreme Court on bail of £2uO.