POLICE COURT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 401, 19 May 1922, Page 5

POLICE COURT.

ALLEGED THEFT,

At the Police Court this morning, before Messrs J. H. Stevens and G. S. Rumble, J’s.P., John Graham was charged that, on April 10, at Palmerston North, he did steal one suitcase and contents valued at £46 13s, the property of the New Zealand Government., the same being an indictable offence.

Senior-Sergeant Eraser appeared for the police. Accused was not represented by counsel.

Mrs ingrain, of Ohakuno, said she was in Palmerston North on April 15, and left for Damievirko by the 6.5 p.m. train. At 3 p.m. witness checked a suitcase to Danncvirko at the railway station here, and received the usual ticket. On arrival at Damievirko witness did not receive the case and had hoi since recovered it. A number of articles produced were the property of witness and had been packed in the bag.

Two railway officials gave evidence as to the suitcase having been chocked.

Detective- Culloty deposed that he saw accused at the police station on May 3 and 4, but he di'd not admit the theft of articles of wearing apparel found in his possession. Constable Murphy was present and accused made a statement to the effect that he had bought a suitcase from a man who was going to Auckland and whom he would not ‘‘give away,” because he had just come out of gaol. Accused cross-examined the witness. He denied that Constable Murphy was present at the time of the alleged interview. He also denied that he had made any statement to the witness concerning a man going to Auckland. Accused was informed that Constable Murphy could be called within 20 minutes if he desired j but accused intimated that he did not desire this. He pleaded not guilty. Accused was also charged that on April lo lie did steal one, Gladstone bag and contents, valued at £lO, the property of the New Zealand Government. Norman George Eva, of To Kuiti, deposed that he had travelled from Ohakime to Palmerston North on May 15. He had checked his bag at the former station to Dannevirke and at Palmerston North he had seen it transferred to the luggage room. He had also seen the bag placed in the train, which left for Dannevirke at 6.5 p.m. On arrival at the latter place the bag could not' be found, and he had not since seen if. Tire toilet and clothing articles produced wore his property and had been packed in the bag. Further evidence as to the checking of the bag was given by railway employees. Detective Culloty said he interviewed accused with reference to the present charge on May 4 and he replied: “I am not going to say anything till i get into Court.” The articles produced were found in accused's Gladstone bag when lie was arrested. To the accused: Accused did not state that the articles produced were his property. Accused, who again pleaded not guilty, was committed to the Supreme Court .for trial at the next session in Palmerston North, on August 8. There would be no question of bail, said Senior-Sergeant Fraser, since accused was already committed to gaol on a previous charge.