POLICE COURT.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXII, Issue 59, 11 March 1910, Page 5

POLICE COURT.

THIS DAY. Before Messrs Rose and Newett, J's.P. A TICKET ON STRATHMOIRA. John Thomas Kennedy was charged with obtaining the sum of 13s from Heeni iieeti Hoera, on terms requiring him to account for the same, and appropriating the money to his own use, thereby committing theft. Accused pleaded not guilty. Sergt. Black prosecuted. Complainant, in evidence, stated she was at the races yesterday. On the seventh race some Maoris were making up a ticket. They collected Ids, and accused caine forward and offered to make up the balance. Witness asked for the ss, but he persuaded her to allow him to invest the money. They agreed to invest the money on Stratlimoira. It was just before the seventh race. Followed accused to the "tote" and saw him secure the ticket. When witness asked for the ticket he gave her an old ticket (produced).

Accused: Why should you give me —an absolute stranger—lss to put on the machine when you had other friends there ? Witness : You asked me to do so. Charles Haselden, a laborer, deposed that Mrs lteeti had told him to look after accused while she went for the police. Accused made an attempt to break away, but was stopped by Constable Maliony when starting oil a brake for town.

To accused: Could not say whether a "big Maori" hit accused while witness was looking after him. Did not see any blood 011 his face. Constable Mahony, stationed at Woodviile, deposed as to arresting accused. i

133* the court: The winning horse v paid £2 14s 6d. Accused had £2 18s 6d on him when ax-rested. Nikora Reeti corroborated the evi- • deuce of the complainant. James Waldon, racecourse detective, deposed that accused was an undesirable racecourse habitue. To accused: Had seen him at Hutt Park and other places within the lasttwelve months. Accused stated that he had worked for six months in Whangarei.Sergt. Black said accused only came out of gaol at the end of November. The Bench announced that they had come to the conclusion that accused had taken the money and would be much better in gaol than out. He would be sentenced to three months 7 imprisonment in Napier Gaol, and they would order that the 15s be returned to the Maoris. ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES.

William Wortliington, alias Green, ■ appeared on remand from Wellington, ■ charged with obtaining two rings and' a sum of money from Annie Brown.

When the charge was read, accused raised the objection that it had been altered.

Scrgt. Black stated that the tirs 1 ". charge was made 111 order to secure accused's arrest.

The police x hen api-ued for i remaud for a won;, which, was graiticl.