CHARGES OF THEFT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4438, 19 August 1901, Page 3

CHARGES OF THEFT.

Two charges of theft were investigated in the Magistrate’s Court ojx Saturday by Mr VY. R. Haseldon, S.M. Two men named Cornelius Maloney and James Asli were charged with the theft on the 16th instant of a bicycle valued at £lO, tho property of Henry P. Todd. ‘ The defendants pleaded not guilty. H. P Todd, labourer, said he arrived in Wellington on Friday by the steamer Tarawcra. Ho deposited the bicvcle at Te Aro railway station, and received a left luggage ticket lor it. Ho did not know The accused, nor did he authorise them to get the bicycle from tho station. William Talbot, blacksmith, said the accused tried to sell the bicycle to him. Maloney .said he bought it at Featherston and rode it to Wellington, but loft tho receipt for it at Martinborough. Witness was suspicious, and when he found that Maloney could not ride the machine refused to buy it. The accused was willing to sell it for £3. Constable Cassells said that Ash told him that Maloney gave him an order to get the bicycle from the railway station. F. M. McKenzie, railway collector, said tliat both of the accused came to the Te Aro station for the bicycle. Maloney brought an order for it. Witness told him there was only one bicycle, and that the name of the person, who had left it was Todd. Maloney said he would have to pet the owner to come and arrange for its cleliyery. About half-an-hour later Ash came to the station with an orde r with the name Todd on it. As Ash. had no left luggage ticket, witness asked him whether ho was a commercial traveller. The luggage of commercial travellers was stored free of charge. Ash said he was a commercial traveller. Witness then gave him the bicycle and retained tho order. Acting-detective Cameron said that Maloney told him he bought the bicycle from a man named Ferguson at the Thorndon railway station for £4 10s. Maloney stated to tho bench that he bought the bicycle at the Manawatu railway station. He lost the order which was given him by the seller. The order produced was written by him (Maloney). Mr Haselden : That is forgery. Maloney : How’s that, sir ? I lost the other. Mr Haselden: You have committed forgery on your own admission. Jamc s Jennings and Cornelius Maloney were charged with the theft on the 16th instant of a macintosh coat valued at £3 10s, the property of Christina Simpson. , , . ... The defendants pleaded not guilty. After hearing evidence, Mr Haselden convicted Maloney and Ash of the theft of the bicvcle and sentenced each of them to six months’ imprisonment, with hard labour. He s aid there was no evidence connecting Maloney with the theft of the coat except that of his accomplice Ash, and he could not he convicted upon that. In regard to Jenningis, his Worship said he was willing to believe that he had teen a drunkard merely hitherto, and had been made use of by Maloney. The sentence upon Jennings for the theft of tho coat would be one month’s imprisonment only.