THE NAVUA ROBBERY.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 213, 12 March 1907, Page 3

THE NAVUA ROBBERY.

TWO MORE MEN COMMITTED FOR TRIAL Ifbb prbss association.] Auckland, March 11. The recent Navua robbery case was advanced still another stage at the Police Court to day, before Mr R. W. Dyer, S.M. Last week Manning and Christie were committed to the Supreme Court as the perpetrators of the robbery, while to-day Charles George Frederick Pepper was charged with receiving from Patrick Manning, on or about November 18th, about £400, knowing the same to have been dishonestly obtained. Herbert Howlett was similarly charged in respect of about £212, alleged to have been received from Pepper about January 26th. Patrick Manning, ex-seaman on the steamer Navua, who was in custody, said that after the vessel's arrival in Auckland he took £900 ashore and went to reside with Pepper's parents at Mount Roskill. He hid the two bags containing the money under the house. On November 19th he left Auckland for Sydney. On that morning he spoke to Pepper and told him he had some money he wished him to keep for him. Witness said he would -leave it in his (Pepper's) box, and this he did, locking the box. He took some £550 or £600 with him to Sydney. Hehad £278 on him when arrested. He did not see Pepper again before he left. In giving his opinion on Pepper's case, Mr-Dyer said it was perfectly clear that he had received the money, bnt the question was whether it was known to have been stolen. He had to decide whether there was a prima facie ease. Assuming that Pepper had acted in good faith np till the time of the robbery . coming to bis knowledge, he (Mr Dyer) thought that he nad something to answer in his subsequent actions. As the matter stood it was his duty to Bend both men up for trials. The accused were then committed to the Supreme Court, bail being allowed m each instance in two sureties of £180 each. The defence t— reserved in both eases.