AUCKLAND BURGLARIES

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11654, 19 October 1923, Page 5

AUCKLAND BURGLARIES

HINDS PLEADS GUILTY OPENED MANY DOORS WITH SKELETON KEYS. HOUSEK EEPER ACQ UITTED. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, October 18. At the Police Court to-day Alfred Arthur Hinds, alia* ‘‘Soldier *Jht»mpmmi," who vaf arrested reoertlv after a grim struggle with Constable Nehoft. w;i.s ehaiged with breaking and entering nine houses and business premises, and stealing goods valued at £l2B. He was also charged with being m possession of housebreaking tool*. Mary Catherine Loverklge, his hout?ekecj>ei\ was charged with receiving goods knowing them to have- been stolen. There was a huge collection of exIrhit.s, most of which were identified hv witnesses as being stolen from their premises. Hinds, in a signed statement, admitted most of the charges, stating that ho had opened several doors with skeleton keys. Ho pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Hail was refused. Mrs Loverklge pleaded not guilty to the charge* of receiving. She stated that she had no knowledge that the articles were stolen Hind* had told her that some of the goods had helm god to his first wife and that he had bought the others for her. Witrtsfc said she knew’ nothing of the burglary expeditions.

Mr J. W. Povnton. S.M.. said that he did n->t*think any jury would convict. It vais probable that Hinds, who was a liar, told the woman that, the goods belonged to his dead wife. In any event ho would give her the benefit of the doubt, and dismiss the eat-e.