POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15749, 26 October 1914, Page 3

POLICE COURT NEWS.

THEFT OF JEWELLERY.

INCIDENT ON A STEAMER.

A fireman- belonging to the steamer Rotorua named Harry Muir, alias Patrick Henry Muir, appeared before Mr. E. C. C'utten, S.M., on Saturday morning on a charge of stealing from the steamer Tnrawera on the previous day a gold watch and chain, a pendkuiV a gold ring, a gold stud, and a silver sovereign case, of a total value of £12, the property of William Henry Simpson. The accused admitted the charge. Chief-Detective McALaiion stated that at about 8 a.m. on Friday the accused visited the, Tarawera and asked Simpson, the boatswain, if he wanted to purchase some tobacco. He said he could supply him with a tin for Is. The boatswain immediately accented the otter, and gave him the price of one tin. Accused then went nway to get the tobacco, and on returning saw Simpson in tiis cabin. .-.sked Simpson for another Is, and the latter left his cabin to get the money. When he returned he saw accused putting the gold watch and chain in his pocket. He asked accused what he wag doing, and he immediately replaced the articles in the drawer from which he had taken them. Simpson then ordered him out of his cabin, but on making further investigation found that a tobacco tin, containing the remainder of the jewellery mentioned in the charge was missing. He immediately proceeded up the street and saw accused, who denied taking the tin. Accused said he saw another man, a fireman on the Rotonia. enter Simpson's cabin and probably he had stolen the jewellery. He asked Simpson to accompany him to the Rotorua and he would see if he could find the man. They accordingly went to the! steamer, but accused told Simpson he' could not locate the man. Subsequently Muir was arrested, and on the way to, tho police station he unsuccessfully at- j tempted to get rid of the tin which had ; contained the jewellery. On being searched at the police station by Detective Gourlay a gold stud, which was anion? the articles stolen, was found in accused's vest pocket. In a statement to the police he said he had thrown the jewellery under his bunk, but it could not. be found. "Very like!v." added the chief detective, this man has been at this tame before. He has probably hidden the jewellery until he can dispose of it. He does not bear a good character on the Rotorua, and the captain does not want him back attain. He is a new arrival, and nothing is known about him'."

j The accused said that when he took the ! tin ho thought it contained tobacco. However, after leaving Simpson's cabin he opened it. and when he saw the jewel- , lery it contained lie became frightened and threw the articles under his bunk. He had not seen them since. The magistrate said lie would remand accused until Tuesday, and if he informed the police where the jewellery was h'dden and it was recovered that fart wonld be considered when a penalty was being imposed. ' INSOBRIETY. John Ollivcr. a second offender for drunkenness within six months, was fined 5s and costs, in default 24 hours' imprisonment. Henry Barstow. on charees of drunkenness and indecency, was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment. William Henry Qtiinn. who admitted a charge of drunkenness and procuring lii|iior durinr; the currency of a prohibition order, was fined £1, in default three days' imprisonment. VAGRANCY. William Huckle ami Michael James MeDetniott weie charged with being rogues and vagabonds, in that they were found by nigh', without lawful excuse on the premises of Mrs. Walsh, in Morrison Street. They pleaded truilty. Sub Inspector Johnston stated that at about 2 a.m. on Saturday Constable Fisher beaid someone snoring in an untenanted house in Morrison Street, and on makinj; investigations found the accused sleeping there. The accused said that they were unable to get beds, and decided to (Jeep in the house. After looking at their records the ma("«trate sentenced both of them to a month's imprisonment.