IN THE COURTS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 12078, 18 October 1933, Page 2

IN THE COURTS

THEFTS OF IRON VALUED AT £906. MONEY LOST AT RACES. DOUBLED BETS AFTER BAD DAY. (Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 17 Extensive thefts of iron valued at £906 were admitted by James Baden Hamilton Pett, 33, a married man, a storeman, who was committed to the (Supreme Court for sentence. The accused had been employed by Messrs John Lysaght, Ltd-, for ten years in sole charge here. According to the -police, the accused began selling some of the iron three years ago, and used the money for bis own purposes in racing bets. Tb© accused had stated that be was very unlucky at races, and generally lost £S to .£lO- If he lost on the first day, he doubled ; his bets on the second day. A shortage of iron had been discovered in September last.

COUNTERFEITING ALLEGED

MAN TO STAND TRIAL. (Press Association) DUNEDIN, Oct. 17. In the Police Court yesterday afternoon, Robert Stanley MecrausTand appeared on t"'o charges that on August 8 and September 17 he made counterfeit coins with intent to make them pass for current silver coins Mr. H. W. Bundle, S.M., was on the bench. James ■ Harold Mitchell, actingmanager of Wbolworths’, Ltd., said that between August 10 and September 20 the sum of £1 7s 6d in counterfeit coins wa s accepted as genuine. ' The sum included three halfcrowns Mid 10 florins. The coins wore later handed to Detoctivc-Sergt. Dovle arid Defective Gibson. Detective Doyle described a search by himself and Detective Gibson of the accused’s house at Kew. In the .attic they found a primus lamp, a tool box. strips of Pad, and other metal. Near the lamp was a newspaper with white powder scattered over it. The accused said the outfit was used for soldering. The detectives then found in a. cigarette tin 12 counterfeit florins,. The accused remarked: “It’s a straight-out enteh. Good luck to you. You have found what you were looking for.” Giving evidence, L. H. James. Government analyst, said lie was certain that the coins collected bv Woolw.orths’ were, identical with the coins taken from the accused’s hoiue. The accused, who pleaded not guilty, was committed to the Supreme Court for trial, bail being refused.