A MASTERTON ELOPEMENT.

Evening Post, Volume LIII, Issue 3, 5 January 1897, Page 6

A MASTERTON ELOPEMENT.

At the Mastorton Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Messrs. W. H. Beetham and "W. Butemeut, J.P.s, Frank H. Reeves was charged (says the Daily Times), on the information of" H. G. Westbrook, with the larceny of blankets, cups, saucers, sheets, teaspoons, teapot, and pictures, valued at £3, belonging to the informant, on the 11th day of December. Mr. C. A. Pownall appeared for the prosecution and Mr. Skipper for defendant, who pleaded Not Guilty. Mr. Pownall, in opening the case, said the articles were not of great value, but the circumstances made the matter serious. Accused had been the guest of Westbrook since last June, and had so far abused his position as to not only assist, it was alleged, in the larceny of the articles produced, but also to run away with Westbrook's wife. Accused had been kindly treated and attended while lying at Westbrook's house with a broken leg. Of course accused was not now charged with ■running away with Westbrook's wife, but it was an element in the case which he (Mr. Pownall) thought should be considered. As the law stood a wife could not be convicted of stealing from her husband while cohabiting with him. But it was laid down that any person aiding and abetting a wife in the removal of a husband's property was liable for theft. Accused and Mrs.Westbrook were arrested at Wauganui, living together with the chattels in their possession. Henry George Westbrook, informant, said accused had been staying at witness's house since last June. Reeves originally came to work lor witness, but meeting with an accident had been laid up for six or seven weeks. When accused got better he continued to use witness's hoube,till the night before the elopmont. On 11th December when he came home from work witness found his wife gone, and the house stripped. Everything produced in Court except a pillow and a rug was his own property, bought out of hi? own earnings. There was one picture which his wife claimed. Received a note in his wife's handwriting by post to the effect that she had gone as she had often been told to. It was no use troubling after her, and she had taken the children. By Mr. Skipper—Had no suspicion of any intrigue between Reeves and his wife. Had no quarrels except family rows the same as anybody else. Had told his wife once he would not have her coming up town with Reeves on his crutches. He had said he would not have it, and she had on that occasion after a few words said she would go away and leave him a free man. Ho had no suspicion that anything of tho sort was going on between Reevus and his wife, although all the town know it, and had been ready enough to tell him after the pair had gone. Reeves worked five weeks lor witness, and was laid up for seven or eight weeks at his honse. Had paid Reeves £2 2s Gd. Had never told his wife she could take what she liked. Mr. Skipper's sense might tell him that no mau would do that. About two months ago he had, in fun, told his wife to clear out. If he had had any suspicion of what was going on something would have happened— ha did not know what. He would swear he was married. , Other evidence having been offered, the accused gave his explanation on oath, said that Mrs. Westbrook implored him to take her away with him, a3 she was tired of her life with Westbrook, and everybody knew it was not a very happy one. Mrs. Westbrook also said she would sooner live in a tent with him (Reeves) than in a mansion with Westbrook. He had taken her for pity's sake. He had no more idea what was in the boxes than the buttons on his coat. He had tried to persuade her not to go with him, as what few pounds ho had might go, and he did not know what they would do, then. Mrs. Westbrook said the things in 1 the boxes uero her personal belongings. She told the arresting constable the same. To Mr. Pownall —He had not cleared out with Mrs. Westbrook; she had walked to tho station. She needn't have gone if sho was not agreeable. He didn't ask her to go. Had been living with Mrs. Westbrook at Wanganui. Still thought ho had been a better friend to Westbrook than Westbrook had been to him. The Bench found the accused Guilty, and sentenced him to one mouth's imprisonment at Wellington. An order was made for the return of the goods to Westbrook.

We have to acknowledge the receipt of the following additional sums in aid of the unfortunate widow whose distressing circumstances we recently referred to: — Mrs. Chappell, W.M., and Sympathy, 10s each; J.M.W., ss; Sympathy," 3s; E.F.N., 2s 6d. Total to date. £8 12a 60.