ROLL OF BANKNOTES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 266, 6 August 1931, Page 7

ROLL OF BANKNOTES

Incident in Hotel Bar THEFT CHARGE FAILS During a conversation which took place In the bar of a city hotel not long before closing time on July 30, James Patrick Shivhan picked up from the floor a roll uf banknotes, which bad just been shown to him by an acquaintance, Waipuki Smith, He pocketed them, and advised Smith when they were leaving together to “try and get them back.” Smith called a sergeant and police constable who were standing nearby, but when he approached Shivnan aga'n the latter gave the notes back to him. The incident led. however, to Shivnan being charged with the theft of £l6 in the Police Court yesterday. Mr. R. Scott, who appeared for him, pleaded not guilty. Mr. E. Page, S.M., dismissed the case. Senior-Sergeant Edwards, for the police called as witnesses Smith and two men who had been in the same group at th" bar. It appeared that the general opinion among bystanders, who were not biking much notice of what Smith and Shlvnan were saying, was that the occurrence was a joke. Smith, however, wanted to get his notes back. At the end of the evidence the magistrate indicated to Mr. Scott that it would not be necessary for him to address the court. "The complainant and defendant were personal friends," the magistrate said “They had had some financial transactions together, and on this afternoon had had a fair amount of liquor. All those present saw Smith with the money, aud saw accused openly take it and put i T his nocket. All considered —and Smith too considered—that he was having a jokt* with him. The charge is one of theft, and theft implies fraud and an intention to deprive permanently the owner of bis .goods. That being so, the evidence, I think, falls short of establishing , the charge. The information will be drus- - missed.”