A COSTLY SPREE

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 258, 8 November 1901, Page 2

A COSTLY SPREE

ALLEGED THEFT OF £347,

CONCEALMENY OF jESO NOTES,

By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, last night

At the Police Court William Watt and bis wife Susan Watt wero charged with stealing Till? from the person of Robert B, Paterson. Complainant bad sold soino land and received a cheque for A’443 7s, which was cashed, and ho received eight TOO notes. After spending a week at Mosgiel, Paterson went to Alexandra, where he changed one of tho TOO notes. Attending the Wingatui races he took some drink. Tho accused couple and a young woman were at the races, and had borrowed money to go there. Watt, near the end of tho races, told his wife and the young woman to go homo, and ho would try to got Paterson’s “ bit.” Watt travelled in the train with Paterson. Later on they visited several hotels, and a policeman found Paterson sitting on the step of tho Provincial, with Watt standing by. Watt told the coustablo be was a friend of Paterson, and would see him to the train. As they wero going towards the station tho constable noticed Paterson helpless, and ho arrested him. When searched ho had only one of tho fifty-pound notes on him. Some days elapsed before Paterson reported his loss, and the Watts in tho interval wero found to have given orders and paid cash. When the police did go to their place no money was found. Tho couple left for the North in the Mararoa, and the Christchurch police were communicated with. It was found that Watt had purchased some articles in Christchurch, and changed a .£SO note. When the detectives boarded the vessel and told their mission Mrs Watt said that sho would.give what sho had, and took 39 onepound notes from her stocking. She said she saw a man givo her husband a Tiso note on tho course. A search failed'to reveal more money, but when tho couple and luggage returned to Dunedin tho police noticed a screw-driver in the box, and noting that a pieco of wood was fastened to the box by screws, this was removed. In holes bored into tho box and plugged with wood three TSO notes were found.

After hearing the evidence Mrs Watt was not called on for a defence. Watt was committed for trial, bail being granted.