TE KUITI POLICE COURT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 568, 17 May 1913, Page 5

TE KUITI POLICE COURT.

FRIDAY, 15th MAY, 1913. Before Messrs J. Tammadge and H. Westmacott, J's.P. Clement John Francis was charged with having been found drunk at Te Kuiti railway station, and with being an idle and disorderly person. Mr Sharpies appeared for accused. Sergeant Rowell gave evidence as to arresting accused on May 6th at the railway station. Accused was awaiting the arrival of a case of whiaky from Te Awamutu. Witness said he had known accused for about a month in company with several other undesirable people. He had warned hem to leave town and had heard of them afterwards at Pio Pio.

To Mr Siiarple3 witness said he knew accused had got work from the Public Works Department, and had worked for some days. However, the man had returned to the town and was again drinking. Constable Capp stated accused and his mates had been knocking about the town and were cadging. Witness had given them some money to get soup. He had warned them to leave town. Mr Sharpies, for the defence, said he was bound to admit that accused was under the influence of d'ink when arrested. On the charge uf vagrancy counsel submitted the evidence showed accused and his mates had been working. They had been drinking, but this was not a proof of vagrancy. Accused gave evidence on his own behalf, his story being that h.e had arrived at Te Kuiti with some money he had earned. Acused was further charged with the theft of nearly £8 in money and sundry articles, the property of Edward Walsh at Pio Pio.

Sergeant Rowell conducted the prosecution. He said the circumstances of the case were that accused and his mates were at the stables at Pio Fio and were drinking. Walsh, who was employed at the stables, was alßo drinking with accused and became helpless. Next morning Walsh missed his pocket book, containing the money, also a handkerchief and necktie. When accused waß arrested at Te Kuiti the handkerchief and necktie were found in his possession. Edward Walsh gave evidence to having had one drink with accused and his mates. He remembered nothing afterward still 9 o'clock that night, when he missed his watch chain and purse. The first thing next morning a friend of witness returnedj his watch and chain and purse. The cheque for £1 and a five-pound note were missing, also some silver. When he awoke at night accused was sleeping in witness bed. To Mr Sharpies: Witness had only had three drinks on the Sunday morning prior to having the drink with accused. The drink he had was out of a pint mug, and he might have taken an inch or two inches. He was not surprised to find himself knocked out. When witness came to his senses at 9 o'clock he was standing un the floor. Accused and his mate Were in the room. Witness undressed and went to bed. Next morning when witness' friend, Northcotte, gave him his watch and purse, he said nothing. In the evening he said he had taken the things to look after when he saw what company was in. Witness made no enquiry as to what was in the purse. Others who were in witness' room were accused and his mates, a man named Smith, and the old man who had been looking after the stable. Next morning. when accused's mate came and offered a drink accused told Sweeney to leave him alone as he had lost his money, and had worry enough. Witness did not notify the police as to the loss. He The police were notified by Mr Hattaway and Constable Capp came to see about it.

Constable Capp gave evidence as to accused and his mate accosting him, and aßking for money as they were stony broke. Witness gave Keenan a shilling, and both men went and had a cup of soup. To Mr Sharpies: Witness said he had no experience of people with money begging. J. Northcotte, carter, Aria, stated he knew accused and first met him in Te Kuiti, where he' helped witness to loaii some machinery, after which he supplied accused and his two chums with dinner. They stated they had no money. He gave accused a lift to the twelve-mile peg. Afterwards he met him at the stables. Accused was with Walsh in the room and came out and said to witness. "See if you can do anything with him; we can't." Witness, with Smith, took the purse and watch for safety. In the morning he returned the purse and watch to Walsh. After attending to his horses Walsh complained to him about losing some of his money. Witness did not know what the contents of the purse were. Walsh asked witness to give a whisky to accused and his chums, which he did. Walßh was drunk at the time. Walsh said he had lost his waistcoat and witness said the waistcoat must have been outside as it was all covered with frost. Ronald John Smith, engineer on the Government stone crushing job, said he visited Pio Pio on Sunday, April 24th, and went to the stables, at which place there were three men who afterwards were joined by accused, and two mates. Witness stayed from 2to 5 p.m. Walsh was drunk. A few drinks were partaken of during the afternoon. Witness suggeste dto Northcotte that he had better take any valuable from Smith for safety, which he (witness) did and handed to Northcotte. He did not know if Walsh had any other things in his possession. Walsh was agreeable to his property being taken care of. Henry Arthur, clerk in the Public Works Department, did not know accused. Had a man named Francis on the books. The man had been em-

ployed forty-four hours. No monies bad been paid him. About 49s 6d was owing, less 16s in order for stores.

Sergeant Rowell said when accused was arrested on a charge of drunkenness, witness searched him and found one silk handkerchief and one neckti9 and twopence in money. Witness had information on the following day of a theft at Pio Pio. After considering the evidence the bench decided there was not sufficient evidence to convict accused on the charges of vagrancy or theft. Accused was convicted of drunkenness, but as he had been in custody already for several days no further penalty was inflicted.