BANK NOTES THEFT

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1939, Page 2

BANK NOTES THEFT

WOMAN CHARGED

(Per Press Association.—Copyright)

W AIM ATE April 27

A charge of the theft of in unusual circumstances was heard in the. Wainiute Magistrate’s Court, hefure. Messrs P. Grant and C. L. H. Gunn. J.P.’s, on Saturday afternoon Sergeant I). B. said that two dairk-skjf.iiicd women called at about noon on the Saturday morning at tiie shop of Mr Benjamin Amo s Bryan, in Queen street, and had asked for evedrops, which Mr Bryan had given them without any charge, when one of the women offered to read his head. This he good-humouredly allowed her to do.

At that- time some of Mr Bryan's family came into the shop, and saying that there were too many people about, the woman said that if he would take her into the hack room of the shop she would read his head, which tie also consented to allow. The woman then asked him for Is and his handkerchief, in which she tit d it tip, and lie was instructed to put it in his pocket and leave it there for two hours-. Asked if he had any money, he replied in the ahirmative and took £'d4 in notes out of his safe, which he was request! d to put behind him. The woman then went behind him and began to rend his head. She asked to be allowed to hold the money, and while she did so she talked quickly ‘■‘in her own language” and blew on some of the notes to drive some of the evil spirits away. Before going she foretold t-liaf. Mr Bryan would receive a large fortune. Immediately she left the shop. he took out his handkerchief to find the Is still there hut his, luck did not hold.

said the sergeant, for on counting the large sum of notes there was £9 missing. . . He informed the police, who, after | inquiries, found that a party, of tor- ) eigners had left town after half an j hour before. Communication was immediately made with Glenavy and j Oamaru. and Sergeant .Murray and I Constable W. J. Watt left Waimate by I ear to overtake the party. At C’ooj jiey’s bridge, about 10 miles south of | Waimate. they overtook two mptor- ! vans, one of which had tyre trouble. Being arrested the two women [ strongly denied the charge, but they were taken in custody back to Waimate, where one. .Lila John. was charged with the theft. Mr \\ . Boland I appearing for 'low. She pleaded guilty i and was convicted. made to- return | the money, and ordered to come up tor sentence if called upon within 12 i months.

During tin- hearing of the charge the street outside the Court presented a very lively scene, with the two old motor-vans drawn up. complete with live poultry, dead sheep, and eight or nine dark-shinned children playing with unrestrained delight with toy guns and pistols.