STOLEN RACING CUPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22657, 19 February 1937, Page 10

STOLEN RACING CUPS

FARMHAND FOUND GUILTY TROPHIES BADLY DAMAGED [by telegraph—press association] INVERCARGILL, Thursday The sequel to the disappearance from Burwood station last August of four valuable racing trophies was heard in the Supreme Court when Richard Frederick Martyn, cowman-gardener, employed by Messrs. Hazlett Brothers, was charged with the theft of trophies, four gold cups, the property of Mr. W. T. Hazlett, valued at £750. When found sis months after removal the j cups were badly damaged and broken. Mr. Justice Kennedy presided. Mr. H. J. Macalister represented the Crown, and Mr. G. J. Reed appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty. Lengthy evidence was heard concerning the disappearance of the cups from the homestead, while the owner's sons i were absent in Christchurch and sub- i sequent efforts to recover the trophies. John S. Hazlett said that on Janu- J ary 13 ho heard an argument in the men's huts and a subsequent in- , vestigation disclosed that the cups had i been -recovered in a damaged condition from plantation trees on the property, j Witness detailed subsequent happenings, after which evidence was heard from several station employees, in the course of which reference was made to an alleged attempt at hanging the accused, whose hands were tied at his back and a rope placed round his neck and thrown over a tree. The accused gave in and said he would show th«» hiding place of the cups, which were recovered as previously mentioned. After a retirement of one hour the jury returned with a verdict of guilty. Accused was remanded for sentence until to-morrow morning.