ASSAULT AND ROBBERY.

NZ Truth, Issue 180, 28 November 1908, Page 5

ASSAULT AND ROBBERY.

REID ON THE RAZZLE.

A Sailor and his Silver.

Given Another Chance.

After two trials— in the nrst the jury disagreed— James Reid, a sailor, who stated that he had a wife and family m Scotland, was found guilty at the Wellington Sypreme Court on Monday, before his Honor Mr Justice Cooper, of having robbed Thos. Martin of a watch and chain, pocket-knife, etc., and with having used violence towards him. The evidence was interesting, particularly to the Wolicense wowsers, who AVill "hold up their hands m holy horror at the statements offered by Clara Scott and Hannah Nash,

TWO BLUSHiING BARMAIDS at the Clarendon Hotel. Thomas Martin, the prosecutor, stated that he had had several drinks with Reid m the Clarendon Hotel and' subsequently, whilst m a urinal, Reid knocked him down andi kicked him until he became insensible. Upon regaining consciousness he discovered Reid m the act. of robbing him. The hotel porter then came along and separated the pair. He followed Reid along Mannersstreet, where he struck him, after which the police took a hand and hauled them

JAMES REID. off to quod. Cop. Sims stated that the articles were found m Reid's possession, and Cop. Jones said that Keid, when arrested, claimed ownership of the articles but next' morning said they did nob belong to him. Two written statements 'by prisoner were put m, m which he suggested that Martin had put the articles m his pocket with the cruel, devilisn intention of bringing trouble on an intoxicated man. Prisoner admitted having assaulted Martin m self-defence. The jury found prisoner guilty of the theft of the watch, but not guiltyiol stealing the sum of £1 0s Id. Prisoner asked for the benefit of the Probation Act. j His Honor said it was a pity to see a, man like prisoner who had a wife and rimily m Scotland wasting bis substance. Prison. r's discharges showed that he had PREVIOUSLY BORNE A GOOD CHARACTER. The. jury had negatived all the serious matter connected with the offence. At the same time, the crime of theft, under the circumstances m question, . was not one m reflect to which probation was ordinarily allowed. If a berth could be obtained for prisoner on board a ship the Court would be disposed to give him a chance. The Crown Prosecutor said that if prisoner .were remanded until Monday the police would make inquiries m the matter. • ,■■. . ■■ .. , His Honor : If no berth can be obtained for him, I shall, of course, have to reconsider the matter. Then, again, ii the ship is one which trades only m Ncv. ■ Zealand waters, I shall make it a condi tion of tiie terms of probation that y pris oner must abstain from liquor. Prisoner would be remanded accordingly. was a warrant out for his arrest for wife desertion, but it was s.till unexecuted. This man, who is well-known m Wellington, and known also to accused, to witness's knowledge had not been m Wellington since January last. The c'hiscl produced was found among the property ol Burgess, who admitted that it was his property, and said he was a carpenter by trade. Various .. windows of the " houses entered bore marks corresponding to the width of the chisel. 'Tec.^Quartermain., who described himself as a finger-print expert', gave evidence to the effect that a finger-print on a bottle found at Moran's place was identical with tiie impression of Burgess's right thumb. Prisoner, pleaded guilty ia the Moran case and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. On the other eleven charges he pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial. "Truth" takes great pleasure m complimenting Acting-Tec. -Andrews on the way he worked up the case and particularly m regard to the shrewdness he exhibited m not arresting Bjiirgess on the Moeraki before she left Wellington as m that case Justice would doubtless have been frustrated. A box, assumed to belong to Burgess, was noted by Andrews, but he was evidently convinced thai there was nothing to connect Burgess with the box, consequently he wisely decided to let Burgess proceed on his voyage and recommend that the Sydney police be communicated with. Burgess evidently, took the jewellery, etc., from the box on the voyage, knowing that it was liable to search by the Customs officers, and transferred it to his person, and this act was- the great connecting link m the chain. "Truth" trusts that Commissioner Dinnie will do justice to Andrews, who is a smart, intelligent officer, and not a man who is likely to blunder, eith- \ er from over zeal or carelessness. Indeed, he is the stamp of man required by all detective forces.

A man always prefers being ruined by prosperity better than by adversity. A, man was recently fined for sleeping on the metals) of the railway. Surely the track is the proper place for sleepers, though people who choose such a placo are likely to have their rest disturbed and be very much cut up m consequence, or, more' appropriately, m pieces. A goodly crowd of enthusiasts turned up at the concert tendered to Hilly Wallace, the famous 'All Black back, and some £54 was thereby added to the Wallace Testimonial Fund, which, together with some outstanding lists, will make an additional • £70 to ba added to the £250 .that has already been presented to the player, making a grand total ol X'6'Al). One feature about the testimonial business to which "Truth" ia.~es exception is the faqt that Mr F. M. 13. vi^cr worked it for all .it was worth to further his political candidature, and this is a most regrettable matter, but professional politicians are ever on the watch to turn any little sentiment to account. Harry Sandow, wrestler, and called a scroucher m last week's "Truth," because of his alleged dirty-dog act m leaving pal "Milky" m the lurch, writes to this paper from New Plymouth denying the allegations made, and according to Sandow's version he was the best friend ''Milky" had, as he was giving him £7 10s per week, but "Milky" got drjunk too frequently to be of any use to the boss. "Milky." still; according to Sandow, left him and joined an opposition circus and was always insulting, and never, avers Sandow, did he throw out a challenge to fight Bill Squires. Sandow says he's a wrestler and not a boxer and can call half-a-dozen witnesses to prove that "Milky" is no class, and' that he Is I a liar. Anyhow, so far as "Truth" is concerned, the two German sausages car fight their own battles aftej: this m the usual mannw,.