SEAMAN FOR TRIAL

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 119, 13 February 1941, Page 5

SEAMAN FOR TRIAL

Theft Of Suitcase Alleged

A seaman, Leonard Cyril Ferguson, aged 39, was yesterday committed to the Supreme Court for trial on a charge of stealing a suitcase and its contents, valued at £22/17/6, the property of Jack Herbert Matthias. Ferguson appeared before Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., in the Magistrates’ Court, Wellington. Detective-Sergeant W. McLennan prosecuted for the police. Emily Margaret Newton, married woman, said she found a green suitcase standing outside her house. It contained men’s clothing. She informed the police. Mary Matthias, typist, said the suitcase was her brother’s. It had been missed from her flat, and she had reported the matter to the police. Constable C. E. Tanner said he interviewed Ferguson about the suitcase. He told him certain articles of clothing found in his possession had been identified as the property of Matthias. Ferguson said they were his property. Acting-Detective A. C. Urquhart described arresting Ferguson for being unlawfully on an enclosed area. He was working at an hotel at the time. Among his effects were the garments produced.

Mr. G. C.' Kent, who appeared for Ferguson, said he pleaded not guilty, and reserved his defence.