STOLEN MOTOR-CAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15504, 10 January 1914, Page 5

STOLEN MOTOR-CAR.

YOUNG MAN'S THEFT. TOURS NORTH WITH A GIRL. ARRESTED AT MANGAWAI. ACCUSED ADMITS OFFENCE. The theft of a motor-car and accessories resulted in the appearance of a young man named Arthur Allen Edenborough, at the Police Court yesterday, before Mr. EC. Cutten, S.M. He was charged with breaking into the shed of W. P. Goodhue and stealing a rug, a kit of tools, and some benzine, valued at £2 10s, and with breaking and entering the garage of J. W. Soutar, and steading a new Ford motorcar, together with a quantity of benzine and lubricating oil, valued at £208. The accused was not represented by counsel. Chief-Detective McMahon stated that the accused had first of all broken into Mr. Goodhue's shed and taken his car, in which he drove to Soutar's garage. He entered the garage in the early hours of the morning, took a new car, leaving the other in exchange, and taking a supply of oil, benzine, and food, started on a tour of the North with a young girl. He was arrested at Mangawai on the way to Russell. William P. Goodhue, cashier in the Bank of New Zealand, stated that he was the owner of a motor-car, which he usually kept in a shed at ParnelL On December 17 he saw the car in the shed, which he locked, taking the key with him. He did not need tha car for some days, and consequently did not visit the shed. On December 20 he was told that the car was in Soutar's garage, and, on investigating, he found that such was the case. The tools of the car and a rug were missing. There was a quantity of benzine in the tank, which had not been there before, and the mileage register showed that the car had; travelled between three and four milgs.' He subsequently discovered that the lock on the shed had been forced open. He valued the missing articles and two tins of benzine, which were also taken, at £2 10s.

Arthur Marychurch, manager for J. W. Soutar and Co., who have a garage in Gore Street, stated that he locked up the garage about 6 p.m. on December 19. On returning next morning he noticed a different lock on the door, and on getting inside discovered a strange car, which he subsequently found belonged to Mr. Goodhue. Later he discovered that a new car, winch had been in the garage was missing, also a quantity of benzine and lubricating oil. The accused sometimes visited the garage to have another car repaired, and would know the interior of the place fairly well. Early Morning Incidents. Constable Randall gave evidence that shortly after 1 a.m. on December 20 he noticed the accused standing at the door of Soutar's garage. There was a small car, an old one, standing on the street at the time. The accused remarked that he was short of petrol, and entering the garage he switched on the electric light. Witness came to the conclusion that the accused was connected with the establishment, and left. About 20 minutes later witness returned, and noticed a new Ford car standing in thesstreett t while the old one had disappeared. The accused was' trying to start the engine of the new car, and asked witness for a match. Witness lit his lamps for him and stood talking to him for a few minutes. The accused said that he had to deliver the car, at Hamilton that morning. He was accompanied by a young lady, who was seated in the car. There were several tins of benzine in the car. Eventually the accused got the engine going, and went away. Visit to Henderson. John Ernest Laybourne, a storeman, residing at Henderson, said that the accused, m company with a young lady on December 20 came to his place in a oar. He was given permission by Mrs. Laybourne to leave the car inside the yard. He stated that he had come from Wellington, and said that he was going as far North as he could. He then tended to sell the car. They remained at the house for two days, and left early on the morning of December 22. When the car arrived it bore the number W7ll in whiting, and prior to leaving the accused rubbed the whiting off, and replaced it with white paint. When he was stopping at the house the accused was known as Arthur Allen. He stated that he would sell the car for £100 if he could get it, but thaf he would get rid of it somehow or other, as he was anxious to leave the country and go to Sydney or the Islands. He had a supply of food with him in the shape ot tinned meat. " Did Not Oare Much.**

Constable Duke, of Mangawai, gave evidence that, on December 27, be saw the accused repairing a car at Mangawai The car was numbered W7ll. Witness thought hat this was the missing car, and asked the accused who he was, and where he had got the car. The accused replied that his name was Arthur Allen, and the oar tt^° m A fr° m n Wemi >6ton. Witness then produced the Gazette photograph of the accused, and showed it to him The ac I cused then admitted that his name was | tdenborough, and that he had stolen the car. He stated that the girl with him was his wife, but afterwards admitted | that ♦ this was not so. The missing rug j and tools were in the accused's possession He remarked at the time that he "did not | care much," and he had half a three ■ years' term of probation to run. The accused pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supremt Court Tor ™ tence. "