NAPIER POLICE COURT.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VIII, Issue 216, 14 August 1918, Page 6

NAPIER POLICE COURT.

(Before Mr. R. W. DYER, S.M.) ALLEGED THEFT. Thomas Joseph Spalding appeared on the following charges : (I) that on August Bth., at Napier, he did steal one trunk and contents valued at £B, the property of Alexander David Smith, (2) tnat on July 23rd.. at Napier he did steal one plain gold band ring, valued at £l. also one 10/- note, the property of L. McKinley. On the second charge he was remanded to appear on Monday next. Mr. L. A. Rogers appear’ d foi’ accused who pleaded not guilty. The owner of the trunk, who is a farm-hand, came to town from Nuhaka and stayed at Tennyson House. Desiring to shift camp to the Provincial Hotel, he secured the aid of accused to help him carry the trunk. The latter was paid I.'-* for his assistance. The trunk was left in his charge while complainant went into a shop. When he came out. both the trunk and the man had disappeared. They were both traced, the trunk having being sold to a second-hand dealer. The defence was to the effect that the complainant owed defendant money and that was why he held the trunk. His Worship, after hearing lengthy evidence, convicted and sentenced accused to three months’ hard labour.