THEFT OF WATCH

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11739, 29 January 1924, Page 12

THEFT OF WATCH

A FINE IMPOSE!/. MISSED AT CHRISTCHURCH. When stolen property is found 1 upon a defentant, the onus is upon him to prove that ho name by it honestly,” declared Mr C. E. Orr-Walker, S.M., at the Police Court yesterday, when James Walsh was charged with the theft, at Christchurch, or a watch and chain, valued at, £2 lls 6cl . the property of Alfred Hood. Evidence for the prosecution disclosed tact that the ■ accused was employed by Wirths Circus, and during the show's stay at Christchurch he hoarded at tho house of Alfred Hood, who was al6o employed at Wirths' Circus. The complainant stated that he missed the walnh last Friday week, and had seen tho accuscd wearing a the same night. • W. E. Leicester, appearing for Walsh, eaid that when the defendant was interviewed by the police on hi« arrival in Wellington, he had foolishly said ho had. bought the wntoh several years ago in Sydney. In a statement "he made afterwards, however, lie declared that he had bought the watch from a man named Shaw, who had 6ince left the country Shaw had been employed at Wirths' Circus, and just before leaving asked the defendant to buy tbe watcii from him, as he was short of money. Counsel for tho defence submitted that no evidence had ibeen brought forward to prove that the uccused had stolen the watch. lie had not been seen in f lie complainant's room on the morning of tho theft. His Worship said that in a case of this description ali tho surrounding circumstances must be taken into consideration. Tho accused had told a false story t ) the police when he might liavo easily told the truth. As the accused had not been before the court previously nnd the police had no record against him, a fine of £5, in default 14 days' imprisonment, was imposed. A week was given in which to pay, a condition being that accused report daily to the police.