ALLEGED THEFT OF MONEYS

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11117, 8 November 1901, Page 7

ALLEGED THEFT OF MONEYS

(PBKSS ASSOCIATION- TiXEGBAM.) DUNHDIN, Noveiribex: 7. At the Police Court," William Wat*, and •his wife, Susan Watt, were charged with stealing £347 from the person of Robert B. Paterson. The complainant had sold some land, and received » cheque for £443 7s, wMch. was cashed, and lie received eight fifty-pound notes. After spending a week at Mosgiel, Paterson went to Alexandra, where he changed one of the fiftypound notes: Attending the last Winga-v tui races, some drink. The "accused couple and a young woman ■were at the races, and had borrowed money to go there. Watt, near the end of the races, told his wife and the young woman to go home, and he would .try to'get Paterson's "bit." Watt travelled in tbe train with Paterson. Later on they visited several hotels, and a policeman found Paterson sitting on the step of the Provincial, with Watt standing by. Watt told the Constable he ra a friend of Paterson's, and would- see him to "the train. As tiiey were going towards the station the constable noticed Paterson fall helpless, and he arrested him. When searched, toe had only one of the £f ty-pound notes on him. Some ■days - elapsed- before -Patereon reported his loss, and the Wattsr,-in the interval, were founfl to have, given orders and paid cash. When the police did go to their place iio money was found. The-couple' left for the north in the Mararoa, and the Chrietchurch {tolice were communicated with. It was found that Watt had purchased some articles in Chrietchurch, and changed a £50 not*. When the detectives boarded the Vessel and told their mission, Mrs Watt 'said' she would give what* she had,- and took thirty-nine one-pound notes from her stocking. She said she saw a man give hsv husband a £50 note on the course. :A*Bearch- failed to reveal more' money, couple and luggage., returned to Dunedin, the police noticed a screwdriver in a box, and that a piece of wood;"waa "fastened to th'e box by screws. This wwe In holes bored into ; the box, plugged with wood, three fifty-; pound notes" were found. After hearing; the evidence, Mrs Wfttt was not called on' for the ■defence. Watt was! committed for trial, bail being; granted.