THEFT FROM POST OFFICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19456, 12 October 1926, Page 13

THEFT FROM POST OFFICE.

INCIDENT AT BROWN'S BAY. ACCUSED DENIES OFFENCE. A charg? of breaking and entering the post offico and store at Brown's Bay and stealing goods valued at £2 19s 6d, was denied in the Folice Court yesterday by Thomas Kelly (Mr. Bone). Accused also appeared for sentence on four charges of obtaining goods and money by means of valueless cheques to which ho had previously pleaded guilty. James B. Watkis, postmaster at Brown's Bay, gave evidence that on the morning of August 2 ho found that tho door of the store and post office had been forced. The postal box had beeu broken open and the mail was scattered about the floor. The post office clock and a registered parcel were missing. Witness knew accused, who lived about a mile and a-half from the store. Constable Wood said that on September 21 ho went to accused's house and while searching was given a parcel by accused's wife which was similar to the one missed from the store. The post office clock and a pair of scales, which were missed from the store, were found in the scrub by the roadside about half a mile from accused's house. Constable Ilobbs said accused admitted issuing valueless cheques with a cheque book bearing the name of tho storekeeper at Brown's Bay. He said ho found the books by tho roadside. In a written statement accused said he was an assisted immigrant and reached New Zealand in August, 1925. He found the cheque books and the parcels on the roadside. He had hoard that the post office had been broken into and did not return them in case ho should be suspected of the offence. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. On the charges of issuing valueless cheques he was remanded to November 9 to enable tho breaking and entering charge to be disposed of in the meantime. Bail was fixed at £IOO.