NOT THEFT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 151, 29 June 1931, Page 5

NOT THEFT.

REMOVAL OF FURNITURE. YOUNG MAN'S EXPLANATION. MAGISTRATE DISMISSES CHARGE. Reported to the police as a burglary, the disappearance of the complete furnishings of a flat on June 10 was given a more innocent explanation at the Police Court this morning. Charles Henry Frederick Pillow (22), dirt track rider and mechanic, appeared on a charge of breaking and entering the dwelling of Fay Cooper at Hohipere Sbreet, and stealing furniture, bedding and clothing, of the total , value of £75. The charge was reduced to one of common theft, and the amount reduced to £50, so that tne case could be dealt with summarily. Pillow, for whom Mr. W. Noble appeared, pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given by a young woman, Fay Cooper, that she owned the furniture, etc., in the flat. She left the premises securely locked at 11 a.m. on June 10 last, but on returning the same night she found that everything had been removed except the curtains and lamp shades. She later saw her furniture in a saleroom and other articles in a second-hand shop. Witness said her sister i had been staying with her, but had disappeared a fortnight previously. Her sister was the only person who knew that the bathroom key fitted the door of the flat. "I quite believe that my sister led accused to believe that the furniture in the flat belonged to her," added witness. Mr. Noble: Accused came to see you the next day ?—Yes, he did. Mr. Hunt, S.M.: Where is your sister now?—l don't know where she is. Detective-Sergeant Kelly: We would like to know, too; we arc looking for her. Sale of Furniture. A buyer for a city furnishing saleroom gave evidence concerning the purchase of furniture on June 11 from accused, who gave his correct name and address, and said he was a dirt-track rider. Witness paid him £11 by cheque. A second-hand dealer said a young woman sold some effects to him for £3 10/. Pillow was with her in the shop. A carrier stated that Pillow engaged him to go to Hohipere Street and take the furniture to the salerooms. Witness saw a girl and also accused at the flat. Witness and accused loaded the goods, j

Detective Hunt said he interviewed Pillow on Juno 11, and he frankly admitted selling the furniture for £11, adding that he was instructed to do so by Violet Cooper. Pillow said he was at present unemployed. For some time past he had been friendly with Miss Violet Cooper. Prior to June 10 she requested him to lend her some money, but he told her that all he had was his fare back to Australia. He later lent her £10, which she promised to repay him. She did not repay him, but said she would sell her furniture so that he could get his money. He had no idea that the furniture and bedding belonged to the jirl's sister. He had never seen anyone else at the flat but the girl herself. At her request he sold the furniture and handed her £10 12/. She kept £1 and handed him the balance. He had not seen her since. He did not know that the furniture was not her own property. "A Civil Remedy." Mr. Noble submitted that there was no case to answer against Pillow, who was a straight young man, and had never been in any trouble previously. "I'm not going to convict him on this," said Mr. Hunt in dismissing the charge. "There is a civil remedy." Detective-Sergeant Kelly: What about the £10 which the police are holding? Mr. Hunt: That belongs to accused. Mr. K"oble: Although no order has been made for its return, Pillow will hand it back. He does not want somebody else's money.