THE WRONG MAN.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 197, 18 August 1909, Page 8

THE WRONG MAN.

ARRESTED FOR ROBBING A /.,..-CHINAMAN,. :

BUT PROVES AN ALIBI

[PROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 18. At the-Magistrate's Court to-day, John William Smith was brought up on remand, charged as a rogue, and a vagabond, having, disguised as a policeman, robbed a Chinaman or £20. The Chinaman, at .the racecourse recognised Smith as the man who visited, his house as a policeman in search of opium and took his money, giving a receipt for the same and telling the Chinaman to collect it at the police office in the morning.' The clearest evidence was given that Smith was iiot the man who visited the Chinaman's house, and the case 'was dismissed, the magistrate expressing regret at the inconvenience caused to an innocent man, but adding that it was an experience which ■any man might have in the present -circumstances, and could not .be helped. He was pleased, however, \ that Smith was able to give a perfectly satisfactory account of himsel, and so leave the court with no :stain on his character.