HOBBIES fBOM SAFE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18244, 10 November 1922, Page 11

HOBBIES f BOM SAFE.

THEFT OF #1700 ALLEGED.

KACEHORSE jREQUISITIONED

CHARGES AGAINST TWO MEN [BX xstsaßAr-H—6>WN COBUESPONDKST.3

TATJ B tARtWOT. ThursdayCharges of stealing £1700 and a post office savings bank ibook showing* si credit of £800 were madb in the Magistrate's Court to-day agai pst James Ferdinand McLarn and ' Gebr ge Carolen Rrennan, who were alleged jto have broken into the dwelling house of Houpapa Whakauruhanga at Taumar tmui on the night of February 21. ' S< firgeant O'Brien conducted the cose for fthe prosecution. Seventeen witnessed were.called, several of whom said that Eirennan and McLarn had described to tin an how they effected the robbery. Tho v.iitncsses alleged that the accused told them they stole tho racing mare Miss Rangt, and a saddle and bridle, and rode out tJ o the Maoris' home when the family vraa absent. They tied Miss- Rangi to a fcj ice, but she broke away at the first <rai plosion of gelignite used on tho safe, at»l was found on an adjoining homestead j next day by the police. Two shot? ire fired before the saffi was opened and i ho .money secured. Tho accused were a lleged, to have said to witnesses that tluH used stockings on their hands in place ot gloves. On some mud found adherinj; to tho safe the police discovered imtil essions of cloth or other material. It \Bas stated that the accused emptied a srick of flour on the floor and used the sac k to carry the booty away. On the way I »ck to Taumarunui the accused, it was ■ alleged, commandeered a draught ho tso to replace- Miss Rangi. This horse was found four miles along the road. It wls stated that Brennan gave one witnes c. a £20 note and received a cheque £5 as change in payment of an account. This led to developments in the cas.fej A taxi-driver gave i}\rfidence that Brennan paid him with th t> cheque for £5 received by him from tl ja previous witness. In a signed states nfent read by tho police, Brennan denied' jevery detail of tho evidence adduced. A witness stated that McLarn carried a receiver to the scene of. the burglary, and evidence was given by McLanvs brother i that he missed a revolver from his housb shortly beforo tho robbery. j The accused both pleaded not guilty, and were committed to the Supreme Court for trial, \bail bjeing allowed in the sum of £1000 frtx ea<ih accused.