AUSTRALIAN CROOKS

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 January 1926, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN CROOKS

TO LEAVE DOMINION.

(Per Press Association,)

AUCKLAND, January 22.

“These two men are professional pick-pockets, each with loin;: criminal histories in Australia,” said Chief detective Cummings, in introducing to Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M., at the Poliice Court this morning, Harry Smith and Phillip Ensworth Smith, two’ young men, both of whom were presented for sentence on charges of trespassing on the Takapuna racecourse during the progress of a race meeting, and with being idle and disorderly persons, who habitually consorted with reprited thieves.

The Chief Detective added that the Smiths had come here from Australia. They had convictions recorded against them for various offences in nearly all the Australian States, and had served numerous terms of imprisonment. They had now agreed to leave the Dominion by the Marama, and the matter rested with the Magistrate to decide.

Mr Poynton: Have they any money to pay their own fares? Chief-Detective Cummings: Oh, yes, Sir. They have plenty and can talk in hundreds.

Mr Poynton, on the charge of trespassing, fined each accused £5, with costs, while he- convicted and ordered them to come up for sentence when called upon on the charges of vagrancy. Each will be kept in custody and placed on board the Marama when that vessel leaves Auckland for Sydney to-morrow.