JEWELLERY ROBBERIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14019, 26 March 1909, Page 7

JEWELLERY ROBBERIES.

ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. / WHAT THE GOLDEN SYRUP TIN 7 CONTAINED. Tub young man Frank Maher, who was arrested hist week on a charge of having stolen a largo quantity of jewellery, which was subsequently, found at his lodgings in Drake-street, Freeman's Bay, and also with being -in possession of housebreaking implements, was brought before Messrs. Trovithick and Walker, justices of the peace,- at the Police Court yesterday. Maher was charged upon nine separate informations. < Chief-Detective Marsack conducted the' prosecution, and Mr. W. Hackett appeared for the accused. Charles Shalfoon, jeweller, of Victoriastreet, deposed that while sleeping on his premises on the right of February 3 he was aroused at midnight by the noise of a shaking door, and he went down to his shop. Everything appeared to be intact at that time, but upon being again aroused at 3.15 a.m. he found his large plate gloss window smashed, and two largo missiles lying close by. A sergeant and a constable, were already there, and an examination showed that jewellery, valued at about £16, was missing from the window. Witness identified several articles produced as part of his property. Tho valua of the plate-glass window was £12. About three weeks later, on the night of February 26, witness placed his show jewellery in a box, which he left inside the window. Next morning he found the shop door had been forced, and the contents of the box stolen. This included seven rings, a greenstone heart and chain, two greenstone brooches, and other articles, the whole being valued at £15 or £20. lie did not know the accused. Constable Father stated that on the night of February 3, he was on duty, and passed tho shop of the previous witness several times. It was all right at one o'clock, but upon passing again at 1.45 witness found the plate-glass window broken. lie looked after the premises until a sergeant came along, and then informed the owner. William Phillips, a fish dealer, carrying on business in Hobson-street, stated that on February 18, at about midday, he had occasion to go to the back of his premises. He left his watch and chain hanging at the head of his bed in a room alongside the shop, but upon returning half an hour later they were missing. He identified'the vatch and chain produced, their value being £6 ss. Elias G. Corban, jeweller, of 330, Queen-street, deposed that on the morning of February 22 he had occasion to go down town, and left his shop in charge of an old lady. Th windows were closed and secured with slides. Upon returning shortly after 11 a.m., he noticed the window slides had been pushed aside, and found that a diamond ring and a gold chain, valued at £28, were missing. The ring and chain produced were his property. ' Benjamin Pain, jeweller, of 190, Hob-son-street, stated that during his absenco from his shop on the forenoon of February 4 a quantity of jewellery, valued at £6, which was awaiting repairs, in a glass case on the counter, was stolen. The articles produced were his property. One of the rings had since been tampered with, through a name, being filed off. Victor T. King, a carter, residing at McKelvie-street, Poneonby, deposed that on the morning of February 20 he returned from a camp at Takapuna, where he had been staying. Ho had a watch and chain in his pocket, and on returning to town had several drinks. Before reaching home he missed his watch and chain, which were valued at about £9. The articles produced were his property. Donald McPherson, second-hand dealer, carrying on business in Victoria-street, stated that between six and nine p.m. on February 5 three watches and a ring, valued at £4 15s, were stolen from ; his window. The witness identified a watch produced as his property. J as. Patrick McNeil, living in Ponsonby, deposed that he had known the accused for sometime. On February 23 last, while tho witness was employed as a billiard marker in Karangoliape Road, accused came to his saloon. Witness passed the remark that his watch went slow, and was no good. The accused said he had a watch which ho would give him. It had been given to him, he said, by some young lady, and would keep good time. He returned to tho saloon, and gave witness the watch now produced. Detective E. W. Scott deposed that on the 16th inst., at about 11 p.m., he and Detective Hollis arrested the accused. The latter was wearing a ring which liad been identified by the witness Pain. The room occupied by the accused at his lodgings was searched, and the watch identified by Mr. Pain was found in a vest pocket. Accused told tho detectives that he had bought the watch from a man near the British Hotel, that a detective had seen him buy it, and had taken the number of the watch, also that the price paid was 10s. The fiittingroom was searched and also the chimney. Concealed behind the grate, the golden syrup tin produced was found, containing the jewellery identified by the other witnesses. As soon as the tin was takon out the accused said, "It is all right. I'll go with you now. I put Fhem there." On the opposite side of the chimney, tied up in a piece of cloth, they found 23 keys, of which six were skeleton keys, and also a file, a revolver, and an electric flashlight. A dry battery was discovered in his bedroom. At that time the accused denied all knowledge of the keys, but next day, when charged, ho said he would take it all on himself, and would not put anyone else away. The jewellery and keys had been given to him to look after, and he had done so as best he could. Detective Hollis corroborated the evidence of the previous witness in every detail. J The accused pleaded not guilty to each charge, and, having nothing further to sav, was committed for trial. On the application of Mr. Hackett, bail was allowed, in two approved sureties of £75 each, and accused's personal recognisance of £150.