THEFT OF A SULKY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 20 May 1927, Page 4

THEFT OF A SULKY

UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES

(By Telegraph—Special to "The Mail")

AUCKLAND, 19th May. "It is distinctly unfortunate that he bluffed Mr Paul,'' said Mr Allan Moody at the Police Court this morning, when he appeared for Thomas George Maxted, charged with stealing a trotting sulky valued at £4O belonging to a trotting mentor, James T. Paul. "Yes, it certainly was," rejoined ,Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., who presided. "The truth disarms everybody you know."

Paul said that "while driving the horse Jewel at the Otahuhu Trotting Club's meeting at Alexandra Park, Epsom, on 24th February last year there was an accident in the race'and his sulky was damaged. One shaft and some stays were smashed and splintered, and witness left the sulky in a loose box en the course. Chief Detective C'ummings: "The backers lost their «money?" \'tes, they did." (Laughter). Paul said he afterwards instructed a man who repaired sulkies to collect the damaged vehicle and repair it. He never made any further inquiries until the end of the winter. He thought that the man instructed to repair it had done so. However, at the last 1 November Hotting meeting he saw his sulky outside Maxted's 'farrier's shop at the course and told accused that it was his property. Maxted said that it belonged in him'and added that he purchased it from his predecessor in business. Mr. Moody: "You know, of course, that the sulky was lying about the track for some months?" "I believe so." "You did not worry much about it I "1 thought thatjt had been taken awnv and repaired." Counsel submitted that although it vas unfortunate that accused had not told Paul how he got the sulky in the first place, there was not sufficient evidence of theft. The sulky had been lying on the course for months. _ '\h Hunt: "He had all the facilities for finding out who it belonged to. He works on the course." • Mr Moody: "He made no attempt to secret it or alter the sulky. Maxted thought, that he was entitled to take it "

The Magistrate asked .Mr Cumminps whether a conviction would allow .Maxted on the trotting cause again. . The Chief. Detective said that il Maxtod was convicted on the charge he could apply to the stipendiary stewards :,>,• exemption. "The stewards will not deprive a man of getting an honest living,*' lie said. ~, In mnandirm .Masted for sentence M Hunt said: "People finding anyllung have a rtutv lo discharge by endeayoiilin.r lo ascertain who the owner is.

NOVEL PUNISHMENT

(United Press Association)

AUCKLAND, This Pay. MY Hunt, S.M.. adopted a novel method of meetiag a difficult case in- the IWii-e Court when Thomas George Max,P(l ~.,,„•> up for sentei.ee on a charge „r ■stealing n trotting sulky winch he, luul removed from u trotting course, wlii-TO it had been left J*; the owner for soulo time. a. farrier, saic the Magistrate, and conviction would prevent him going on a course and would involve the loss of Ins livelihood. The owner of tne sulky was a good deal to blame for leaving it so long on the course." He proposed to make Maxtnl Jose sonu-lhing to, remember the matter by. The charge would be dismissed on condition that he paid fco Lo the Salvation Army for distribution in clinritv. "l'n no right to do it, added Mr Hunt, "but still, it will give, him a chance." _ Masted paid up immediately.