MISSING TIE-PIN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 398, 16 May 1922, Page 7

MISSING TIE-PIN.

CHARGE AGAINST A FRIEND.

Mr J, L. Stout, S.M., was occupied yesterday afternoon in hearing a charge of theft preferred against :i young man named Archie Wilson, It was alleged that the accused had stolon a gold opal tic-pin, valued at £6. the property of Clarence George 13. Vining. The accused, who was represented by Mr W. J:. Fitzherbcrt, pleaded not guilty and elected to be tried by jury. Detective-Sergeant Quirko represented the police. The informant, Vining, gave evidence that lu> was acquainted with the accused, "n April 10, the latter told him he was leaving- Palmeislon North lor Hastings. Witness went down to the station to see him oil' and while they wore walking on the platform Wilson put his left hand over his (witness's) left shoulder, and passed the remark that ho would see him again soon. Very shortly afterwards he boarded the train and immediately it had left witness noticed that his tie had been pulled out; and his Lie-pin was missing. Thereupon he rang up his brother in Hastings and asked him to meet Wilson on the arrival of the train at Hastings and gel the tie-pin from him. The tie-pin produced was the one to which he referred. Witness went on to state that last Saturday night Wilson admitted taking the pin while talking to him in the street, and that he had no intention of keeping it. To this witness had replied that, if he did not take the pin intentionally, why had lie not given if to his (witness's) brother on the Hastings railway station platform? Wilson's reply was that he did not see witness's brother and further that he Wished the latter had "touched him up" for it that night. To Mr W. L. Fitzherbcrt: There was a third party named Mollis—a friend of the accused-with Wilson when he look the train for Hastings. Hollis was a little further ahead of witness and accused at the time the alleged theft was committed. The accused was not given to playing practical jokes on witness. MERELY A JOKE. Detective Culloty produced a tie-pin which, he said, accused admitted was the one recovered from him by the Hastings police, and further thai ho had explained Id the latter that he had taken it as a joke. The accused was not arrested, being' brought to the Court on summons. This closed the case for the police. Mr Fitzherbcrt said thai he did not propose to call any evidence. Counsel said thai the whole cast 1 was trivial ami woidd never be sustained in the higher Court. He submitted (hat the accused's action was simply a joke and in (he circumstances seeing that hi' had had the pin for only a day, the charge should Le dismissed. The Magistrate commented that if the accused's story was true it certainly called for an explanation. Moiie had been given.

Counsel consulted with accused as to whether he wished to go into the box and give the required explanation, and the la!\ter stated that he preferred the case to be tried by the Supreme Court, He accordingly reserved Ids defence and pleaded not guilty, The Magistrate committed him to stand his trial at Napier, bail being allowed in himself £25 and his mother £25,