GOLD CUPS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 17, 21 January 1937, Page 11

GOLD CUPS

CHARGE OF THEFT

FARM HAND FOR TRIAL

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, This Day. Richard Martyn, aged 53, a cowmangardener at Burwood Station, pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing four gold cups, valued at £750, the property of William Hazlett, on August 10. Messrs. W. T. Gilbert and M. Miller, J.P.s, were on the Bench. John Hazlett, manager at Burwood, said he was in Christchurch in August for the Grand National Meeting. When he received word that the cups were missing he returned home, and on the night of January 13 he heard an argument between Martyn and two other employees, McCauley and Donaldson. He saw the accused and McCauley go towards the woolshed. They returned with the cups. Martyn said he did not steal the cups but had received an anonymous letter telling him where they were. A search was made for the letter, but it could not be found. Witness took Martyn to. the Lumsden pplica "station, where he was arrested. Philip Richmond, blacksmith, said •while working at Burwood, Martyn told him "a man ought to pinch the cups. It would serve Hazlett right." Eric McCauley, head shepherd, said he had an argument with Martyn and accused him of stealing the cups. Martyn took him to a plantation, where the cups in a sugar bag were produced from near the root of a tree. Detective Smith and Constable Thompson stated that they interviewed the accused several times, but he denied all knowledge of or association with the theft.

The accused, who reserved his defence, was committed to the next Supreme Court sitting at Invercargill lor trial. Bail was refused.