DENIAL OF THEFT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22865, 21 October 1937, Page 18

DENIAL OF THEFT

MAORI CHARGED • LIQUOR AND CROCKERY GOODS FROM GOLF CLUB Two charges of stealing goods from the Pukekohe Golf Club and two alternative charges of receiving tho goods, knowing them to linve been dishonestly obtained, were preferred against a Maori, Tu Whakarnra, in the Supreme Court yesterday beforo Mr. Justice Callan and a jury. Mr. Hubble represented tho Crown and Mr. Noble appeared for accused. The first charge related to a quantity of liquor and crockery stolen on August 13 and the second to a further quantity of liquor and crockery on September 12. Accused pleaded not guilty. Percy Mills, steward at the club, said that on August 14 ho found the clubrooms in .a state of disorder and about seven dozen bottles of beer and several bottles of gin and whisky were missing, together with some cigarettes and a suitcase belonging to witness. Tho value of the liquor and cigarettes was about £6 12s. On September 15 ho discovered that tho premises had again been broken into and that liquor valued at about £3 12s was missing. Mrs. Louisa Penny said she had noticed a quantity of crockery and cutlery to bo missing from tho club, where she looked after the afternoon tea arrangements. Witness said a number of articles produced were similar to ones kept at the club. Ben Sullivan, labourer, said that on August 13 he met accused and asked him for a bed for the night. On til© way home accused suggested breaking into the golf club to get some beer. Witness waited outside and accused went round the corner and later passed a sack and handbag through the window to witness. They took them to accused's place and put the sack under a bed and the bag under the table. They had three glasses of whisky next morning, but accused said he was keeping the beer for a party. This occasion was tho only one, said witness, when he had been at the golf club with accused. Later witness was charged and pleaded guilty. He had seen accused at the prison and had been asked to take the blame for it. Accused said that would get him out and he would get witness out later by writing three statements confessing the offence. Witness did not like the idea.

Further evidence will be- heard today.