ALLEGED RECEIVING

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11422, 19 January 1923, Page 8

ALLEGED RECEIVING

ACCUSED BEFORE COURT AFTERMATH OF THEFTS FROM JAMES SMITH, LTD. COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. \ _____ Two charges of receiving stolen property, knowing the same to be stolen, were the cause of Ralph Antonoviok’s appearance at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday before Mr W. G. .Riddell, S.M. The accused, who is a barman, was alleged to liaye received from Henry Francis Samers, lately in the employ of James Smith, Ltd., certain articles of clothing valued at £4 10s, the property of that firm, .and from Joseph Wolley, a watchmaker, jewellery to the value of £47 10s, belonging to J. R. McKenzie, Ltd. Mr W. E. Leicester appeared for the accused, and Inspector Mclllveney watched proceedings on behalf of the police. Henry Francis Samens, a salesman now on probation for theft of certain goods from James Smith, Ltd., while so employed there, said that he met the accused at an hotel about a month before witness’ arrest, and got to know him as “Tony,’ ’although he had heard him referred to as “Smith.” The defendant asked witness where he was working, and if he could get some stuff for him, and in reply he told the accused to come along and see him. The call was made a few days later, and he was given tw r o silk shirts, valued at 29s 6d and 31s 6d. He stated that accused knew perfectly well that they were stolen, and no payment was made for them. He next met the defendant in the street a few days afterwards, and was asked if he oould supply him with a hat. When accused arrived for this article a few days later witness told him the opportunity was not ripe, as the shop-walker was about, and it would not be advisable to take the risk. Witness next saw the aocused two or three days afterwards, when he again came into the shop, and this time he was given two silk handkerchiefs, which were not paid for. After a short time had elapsed he saw the accused, who wanted some underpants, and on December 22nd he was supplied with two pairs of underpants and three shirts. DANGER SCENTED.

On this occasion witness scented danger, and told the accused to hand him some money. One pound was tendered, and a xlocket was made out for 3s 6d. Witness now thought trouble was brewing rapidly, and sent the accused away telling him he would give him his change later. Witnesa was’ arrested that afternoon, -and as a result he was sentenced to three years’ probation. About 1.15 p.m. the day after he had been sentenced lie met accused again, and was offered £SO and a free trip to Sydney if he would say that he did not know the articles were dishonestly obtained.

When. questioned by Inspector Mclllveney the witness stated that Antonovich told him he wished he had known him at “Kirk’s”. Another time he had told him to go along to McKenzie’s, of Cuba street, and aocused would get anything he wished to have out of the window. The result of this was that he received a, rolled gold wristlet watch. He did* not know wbeTe accused lived, and had not handed him the goods without any arrangement, and had never been paid for them. TELL-TALE DOCKET.

George Morrison, residing at 154, The Terrace, and employed: as a shop walker and floor superintendent, said that he saw the accused come into the shop on December 22nd, and go to the counter where Samens was serving. He watched part of the serving, and then went to the cash desk and inspected the docket which was for one singlet at 3s 6d. He saw the accused leave the shop soon after, and he had a paroel about nine inches long and about five inches high in his possession. He had noticed the accused in the shop on previous occasions, and at one time approached him and asked him if he wa® waiting. Defendant replied! that be was waiting for Samens although there were two assistants disengaged. Acting-Detective Hunt, whose evidence was corroborated by Detective MeLennon, said that he followed the accused to his house at 24, Hay street, and there obtained the parcel aforementioned, and in a statement the latter «iid that he had always paid for the things he had obtained. THE SBOOND CHARGE.

Joseph Woolley, waiting sentence for theft of goods from J. R. McKenzie’s, Ltd., Cuba street, said that when he was arrested on December 23rd he bad been nine months in the employ of the above firm- as a watchmaker. "He had mot the accused in the Masomo Hotel about two months prior to his arrest and knew him- as “Smith.” The defendant entered into com ersatiou with witness, asked him where he was working, and . when ; he had gained this information he aiked if there was any chance of him getting any jewellery. Witness told him that there was not, but in a conversation two or three days afterwards witness was persuaded to get what he could. That night he handed the accused a box of six Bengal razors, telling him from where and how he had obtained them. SENDING THEM UP COUNTRY. Accused then asked hint for some other jewellery and fancy goods which ho wished to send up country to a friend, and told witness he would pay him what he thought they were worth. On several occasions after this witnesa stated that he supplied the aocused with various articles, such as knives, forks, spoons, Gillette razors, autostrap®, cigarette cases, . and tobacco pouches. There was a collection of these_ articles in court, and witness identified all but Samen’s watch. Sometimes he received 10s,. sometimes 15s, and sometimes £l. Altogether he thought the sums would amount to seven or eight pounds. John Bailey, a married man, residing at 27, Charlotte avenue, Brooklyu, and head storeman at J. R. McKenzie, Ltd., valued the goods at about £47. Detectives Hunt and MdLennon said that they , located the accused at his house, and found the goods produced. These goods were statea by the accused to have been left with him by a man who had come out of the Wellington* Hotel at 5.40 p.m. .This man had often left parcels with the accused, who did not know his name but thought that he lived at Thomdon. The detectives had made inquiries at this hotel, hut no one knew anything about the occurrences.

Accused, who pleaded not guilty, was committed for trial, and bail was allowed at £l5O. with two sureties for that amount. He waa also to report daily to the police.