ROBBERY CHARGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25045, 8 November 1944, Page 7

ROBBERY CHARGE

MAORI ON TRIAL CHINESE GARDENER'S LOSS Arising out of the robbery of a Chinese market gardener last July, Leslie Snow, aged "JO, n Maori (Mr Sullivan), was charged on three counts before Mr Justice Callan yesterday. The major charge was that of robbing Wong i (.'hong of £645 % on July 18, and there were alternative charges of theft from the person and theft. Outlining the Crown case, Mr ('leal said the complainant. Wong ('hong, was a market gardener at I'ukekohe. He came to Auckland on July 18 with i fJodd in a bag. He intended to purchase a market garden but negotiations were not successful. He had tea at a Chinese cafe, and there collected £l4o Ss that was owing to him. Complainant was about to enter another Chinese shop in Cook Street when a man rushed out at him from a doorway. knocked him over and took out ' of his pocket the hag in which he was carrying C(st"> Bs. The man ran away I and Constable Gilbert tried to intercept liini but was unsuccessful. ! Later the constable saw what apI pea red to be the same man in Federal Street coming toward him and acting suspiciously, continued Mr deal. This man turned and went in to a house, but when he could not get in he jumped over a fence and ran. The constable chased hint round several corners and eventually caught him. He proved to he the accused. Another constable found the bag of money on a vacant section past which accused had run. Accused denied all knowledge of the bag and declined to discuss the matter. The complainant and Constable Gilbert gave evidence in detail on the lines indicated by Mr ("leal, and the hearing was adjourned until this morning. MOTOR THEFTS GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS i The trial of Joseph Ratcliffe, wood merchant, aged 35 (Mr Noble >. on four charges of motor thefts and one of unlawful conversion of a motor-truck was concluded yesterday before -Mr Justice Callan. Accused was charged with the theft of two motor-cars valued at Usn and £195 respectively and the theft of wheels, tyres and tubes, a jack and petrol. His Honor, in summing up, pointed out that although important evidence came front an accomplice this was nevertheless corroborated by other witnesses. Certain aspects of the charges concerning the two cars would require very careful consideration. The jury found accused guilty on all counts and he was remanded for sentence.