THEFT AT THAMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15610, 15 May 1914, Page 8

THEFT AT THAMES.

AN ATTEMPTED BURGLARY.

MEN COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE.

("BY TELEGRAPH.— COKHESrONDENT.'

Trt.utES, Thursday. A NmißF.n of interesting cases were heard in the Police Court to-day, when two young men, named Leslie Grant and' George Augustus Carrington Smith, were charged with the theft of a watch, gold chain, and other articles, to the value of £13, from the residence of Mr. R. Roman, Tararu, on April 8. Tho accused, who both pleaded guilty, were ordered to come up for sentence at the next- sitting of the Supreme Court at Auckland. '

A further charge against the same persons, with two others, named F. Spencer and A. H. Billings, was proceeded with. Sergeant Croau appearing for t!*3 police and Mr. Clendon for Grant, one of the accused. Sergeant Crean said that Grant was an official of the Thames post office, and the charge was that of entering the dwelling of Mr. Ayling. who is the accountant at the post office, vith the intention of procuring the keys of the safe, which were known by Grant to he in Mr. Ayling's keeping, and with the intention of afterwards robbing the post office safe. . Evidence was given to the effect that Mrs. Ayling awoke in the night and saw a man,in the bedroom, and that she at once awakened her husband. The latter jumped up and went after the intruder, but the person at once ran out of the door and escaped. It was afterwards found that tho sum of 30s had been taken from the dressing-table, but nothing . else was missed.

The accused all pleaded guilty, and were ordered to come up for sentenco at the Supreme Court. A further charge of burglary was entered upon .against Grant and Smith, but was adjourned to the next sitting of the Court, at the request, of the police. This was a charge of breaking and entering the dwelling of Mrs. Ross, in Upper Pollen Street, during the absence at Auckland of the occupants, and stealing therefrom a 'quantity of jewellery and other valuables, to the value of £19!