LOSS OF £240.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 99, 29 April 1935, Page 9

LOSS OF £240.

STEP-MOTHER'S CASH.

TWO YOUNG MEN CHARGED.

GIRLS TAKEN FOR HOLIDAY. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) PALMERSTON NORTH, Sunday. Jointly charged with the theft of £240 trom their parents' home at Taikorea, two young men, Maurice Luciiisky, aged 20 years, farm labourer, of Foxton, and Thomas John Lucinsky, aged 2;} years, labourer, also of Foxton, appeared in the Palmerston North Magistrate's Court yesterday before Messrs. W. R. Black and W. G. Ashworth, J.P.-s. The younger accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court at Palmerston North for sentence, while the elder, who entered a plea or not guilty, was committed for trial.

The first witness, Marion Lueinsky, step-mother of tlie two accused, told how her husband had hidden a sum of £240 belonging to her in a motor-shed. As far as she knew, her husband and herself were the only two who knew where the money had been hidden. Witness gave 110 one authority to remove it. Things were pretty difficult at the time, and just to encourage the family, witness had, on one occasion, remarked that she had a little money put away in case things became worse. The hiding place was not indicated. Witness thought the accused, Maurice, was present when she made that

remark. Corroborative evidence was given by Frank Lucinsky, farmer, of Taikorea, and husband ot the previous witness. He liad told no one where the money was, and neither of the accused had authority to remove the sum. Girls Go on Holiday.

A story of how she, another girl and the two accused had gone on a trip to Picton and Nelson was told by Molly R. Finliiy. a single domestic, of Wellington. This was shortly after witness had returned from a holiday at Palmerston North. The expenses on the southern trip were paid by Thomas T,ucinsky, who showed witness a Post Oflice Savings Bank book which revealed a deposit of £100. The holiday occupied about four days, witness and the other girl returning to Wellington about two days before the two accused. Subsequently witness saw Thomas Lucinsky quite often, and he gave her a diamond engagement ring. Thomas told her that he°had got into trouble and that the police were after him. but it was not until Inter that he told her that he had "become mixed up over some stolen money." He then said it was his brother Maurice who had stolen the money. When the two were discussing the matter Thomas had told witness to tell the police that lie had won money at racing, and also to say that witness had paid her own fare to Nelson.

Lynley Toms, who was relieving at the Te Aro Post Oflice, Wellington, on January f> last, gave evidence concerning an account opened by the two accused in the names of Arthur and Maurice Jensen. The account, which was a joint one, was opened with £100, the accused stating that they had just completed a contract and were going to Nelson to look for further work.

Claiming of a Telegram. A married woman. Agnes Mary Campbell, of Nelson, said that shortly after New, Year a party of four—two men and two young women--rented some rooms from her. She did not know the surnames of the women, but the men she knew as Thomas and Maurice Lewis. While they were at witness' place a telegram came addressed to "Jensen.' This was claimed by the two accused after some sort of explanation.

A clerk of the po-t office at Nelson. Howard A. Burns, related how an application hud been made for the withdrawal by telegram of a sum of £20 from the joint account. Detective W. Ritchie, of Wellington, said that on March II last he interviewed both accused nt Wellington, informing them that they were suspected of having stolen £240. Both denied the charge. Constable K. H. Compton. of Palmerston North, told of the arrest of Maurice Luc'iisky. who had made a statement admitting the theft. In the statement he said it was lie who had paid all the fares and the board 011 the visit to Nelson.

Tn the case of Thomas Lucinsky bail was fixed at self £250, or one surety of £250, or two of £125 each.