THEFT OF PURSE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11491, 19 November 1931, Page 3

THEFT OF PURSE

YOUNG MARRIED MAORI WOMAN IN COURT.

TO COME UP FOR SENTENCE II CALLED UPON.

As a sequel to the loss of a purse in a dressmaker’s shop in Peel St., on November 12, a young married woman, Wai Rea, was charged with the theft of a purse and its contents £2 3s, the property of Gwendoline Alice Maher. Accused for ‘whom Mr. Reaufoy appeared, pleaded not guilty. Mrs. Maher stated that accused and a companion came into her premises on the date named, and accused had a frock tried on. At that time witness’s purse was on one end of the counter in the shop near the fitting-room. The purse contained £2 3s. Witness left the room for a few minutes hut when she returned the purse was gone. Constable King said that when he interveiewed accused her first question was: “Is it about the purse;-" Li reply to questions she produced the purse and said she thought it was her aunt’s witli whom she low been that day. In jthe purse witness found £1 145., but when questioned as to where the remainder of the money had gone she could not give an answer. In a statement at. the police station she said she picked up the purse thinking it was her aunt’s, and she intended to communicate with lier aunt. She said that she and her aunt, had been sitting together in the bus. Accused had with her a large bag. and she thought the purse had dropped into it by mistake. She denied she intended to steal the purse and denied that she took the money. In a later statement, however, she admitted she took the purse with the intention of stealing it, and took 9s in silver to add to her own money. Detective McLeod corroborated the evidence of the previous witness. Mr. Bcaulov .said accused stated that she had made the statement because she thought that by doing so there would bo no more trouble. She said sho went into the shop with a companion, and when the purse was discovered in her bag slie thought it was her aunt’s purse. Accused gave evidence on these lines. Sho said she mndo the second statement because she was frightened. Mr. Beaufoy submitted that as there was a doubt in the case, it should be dismiss ed. The Magistrate said that if accused had had any doubt as to the. ownership of the purse she should have asked Mrs. Maher. He could nor. altogether disregard the statements mndo by the accused to the police. Accused would be convicted and ordered to come up for sentence ii called upon within three months, and also pay police expenses.