HOTEL RAIDED

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11249, 29 June 1922, Page 7

HOTEL RAIDED

“ EARLY ONE MORNING ” ROOM-MATES CONFESS ROBBERY TO MAGISTRATE. COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. Before Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., yesterday, Albert Gooday and Alfred George Christie admitted paying an unlawful visit to the Brunswick Hotel on June 18th and stealing a quantity of liquor. The charge against the men was of breaking and entering the Brunswick Hotel and stealing two bottles of Hennesey’s brandy, two bottles of champagne, one of Devillard’s brandy, two of Gilbey’s gin, one of J.D.K.Z. gin, one of Ainslie’s whisky, two _and a quarter bottles of ‘‘Johnnie Walker,” four flasks of Stewart McKenzie’s whisky, twelve bottles of Watson’s, two flasks of Jamaica rum, and one flask of Johnston’s whisky, of a total value of PS 12s Bd, the property of Veronica Holbrook. Accused were not represented by counsel. FROM BED TO BURGLARY. Chief-Detective Kemp, in conducting the case for the polioe, said that the offence had occurred between midnight on the seventeenth and one o’clock in the morning. The two. accused men resided at No. 8, Epuni street, and at the time mentioned had risen from bed and made this raid npon the hotel. They had taken the liquor up to Epuni street whero “out of sheer kindness of heart” they had awakened the landlady to give her a bottle of liquor. Later, the accused Christie was arrested for drunkenness, a flask of brandy was found in his possession and the rooms were searched, after which, both men were taken into custody on the present oharjjp. A BARMAN’S FIND. Alfred John Hoare, barman at the Brunswick Hotel, said that he resided on the premises. At 6.25 a.tn. on the date named he was first up and went downstairs. He found the door of the hotel leading to Vivian street swinging open, an inner dooT open, and a window looking into the backyard to have been interfered with. Ail had been left secured. He had examined the bottles of liquor produced, and could identify them aB being kept m stock. One, flask of rum bore the hotel label, and the total ralue of the liquor was £8 12s Bd. THAT FLASK OF JAMAICA. Police Constable McDonnell deposed to having arrested Christie at 9.25 a.m., on the morning of the 18th inst, on a charge of| drunkenness. Searched at the police station Christie was found in possession of a flask of Jamaica rum. Sergeant Stark corroborated. He had gone to No. 8, Epuni street, and found the liquor mentioned in the information. He had arrested Christie and charged him with the present offence. Detective Walsh had interviewed Christie about the offence on June 22nd, and the man had admitted the whole affair. He had visited the hotel along with Gooday. They “had filled their pockets with.bottles.” On return they had given the landlady a drink of champagne and also a bottle of whisky for herself. COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. Detective Tongue said that Gooday had given him a statement admitting the offence. Both, men entered a plea of guilty, and were committed to the Supreme Court for sentenoe.