STOLEN MONEY

Evening Star, Issue 17324, 12 April 1920, Page 3

STOLEN MONEY

EATEN BY RATS. TSPECIAL TO THE ' StAH.'] CHRISTCHTIRCH, April 12. Having stolen a roll of notes from his room mate, and hidden them under the floor of an outhouse, Arthur Mansfield M'Clure felt the sting of conscience. He returned to the outhouse where his stolen hoard had been placed, only to find tbit the notes had been partially devoured by rats. The case, wliich was characterised by Sub-inspector Dew as remarkable,'cam© before Mr Day, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court, when M'Clure was charged with the theft of £lO Is 6d, the property of James Walker. The accused, stated Sub-inspec-tor Dew, was staying at the Waiau Hotel, and there shared a room with James Walker. On Tuesday last they both slept in the same room, when the accused took £lO Is 6d in money from "Walker's wallet. This g um he placed underneath the floor of an outhouse. Next morning M'Clure was pricked by his conscience; and went to recover the stolen money from the outhouse. There, however, he found only about 20s in silver, and the pound note's had mysteriously disappeared. M'Clure then returned to the hotel and informed Walker of the occurrence. They proceeded to the outhouse, -and bj- tearing up the floor discovered all the notes in different rat holes, all partially oaten. To Mr Day: The whole of "the money had been recovered. The man had re- ! turned it himself. Mr Day: I suppose it was a sudden temptation. Sub-inspector Dew stated that the employers of the accused were willing to take him back, and spoke very highly of his character. Mr Dav (to accused) : It is to your credit that you repented and went to replace the money. 1 won't inflict any imprisonment. You will be fined 10s.