SUITCASE STOLEN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 53, 4 March 1943, Page 6

SUITCASE STOLEN

WAS CHECKED LUGGAGE

THIEF TRIED PAWNING

•A suitcase, which, with its contents, was valued at £49 19/6, was checked for Taneatua by its owner, Mr. Ray Hoyte Turner, at the Auckland railway station on February 24. Later the same day the suitcase and its contents were offered as pledge for a lean at a city pawnshop. Unfortunately for those offering it, James Russell Geldard, aged 55 labourer, and Peter Noyer, aged 64, labourer, thev could not produce the keys, and gave a wrong description of the contents. Geldard left when the pawnbroker went to call a constable, but was picked up in a nearby hotel. j • J.V, "No evidence was offered in tne Police Court this morning as to how Geldard obtained the suitcase, but tie pleaded guilty to the theft. Noyer pleaded not guilty, and told a story that started with drinks on the tram from Helensville (where he first met Geldard), drinks at two further hotels, and- the appearance, in" the middle of these alcchone excursions, of Geldard in possession of the suitcase. Noyer thought it was Geldard's, and told the pawnbroker that it was Geldard's. According to the pawnbroker he also offered suggestions as to what it contained. Geldard was convicted and sentenced to five months' imprisonment. Mr. J. Morlirig, S.M., took into account Noyer's age and the fact that his only previous conviction was for drunkenness, and, with a conviction, fined him £5. Noyer was given a month in which to find the money.