TEMPTING HIM TO STEAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15312, 27 May 1913, Page 9

TEMPTING HIM TO STEAL

TRAP FOR INJURED HUSBAND

ALLEGATIONS IN DIVORCE CASE.

[BY TELEGRAPH.— PItESS ASSOCIATION'.] Wellington, Monday.

Some curious evidence was given in Jones v. Jones and Crow, divorce suit, heard today before Mr. Justice Sim. Briefly, it was that co-respondent had, according to Mr. T. M. Wilford, who appeared for the petitioner, purposely left the keys of his safe at his hotel at Cheltenham eo that the petitioner might bs tempted to steal therefrom. Mr. Wilford said the action of Crow suggested that he wished to lay a trap for Jones, in case the latter " made a fuss" concerning Crow's relations with Mrs. Jones.

Nellie Jones, sister of the petitioner, 6a:d that Crow went to her house just after he had been served with the papers connected with the case. Crow said, " Ted Jones has cost rne £100 in hard cash." If the case were not withdrawn Crow threatened he would have Jones arrested and put in a olaco where he would be for many a Ion" "day. This conversation had taken place in the presence of Jones's brother-in-law, William Hill.

William Henry Hill said that he had ieard the threat made by Crow when the latter went into the room with the previous witness. Crow said, " Well, what do you think of this ease?" Miss Jones had replied, " ItV, pretty bad." Crow then said, "Yes, it's got to be stopped." Hill went on to say that Crow proceeded to iesue the threat that Miss Jones had better go down to his (Crow's) solicitors and fix it up by 5.30 p.m., or Jones would he arrested for theft. When the respondent was giving evidence, she stated that one night after her husband came back from Cheltenham ho took out his purse, shook it. and said there was £26 in it. Mrs. Jones asked him where he got it, and he admitted he had taken it out of the till at Crow's hotel at Cheltenham. The pair quarrelled about it, and witness left her husband. She was horrified to think that Jones had taken money from a friend. When the co-respondent was in the. box Mr. Perry askedj " Did you ever tell Jones that you would not miss £100 from your safe?" Crow : Certainly not. I have never had £400 or £500 iu my life all at one time. Mr. 'Perry : Then Mr. Jones is lying? Crow : Absolutely. His Honor then inquired from Mr. Perry what bearing these money allegations had upon the case. If the intention was to suggest that Jones had stolen the co-res-pondent's money he would not allow it.