SMART WORK

NZ Truth, Issue 605, 20 January 1917, Page 2

SMART WORK

Detective Hammond Gets Busy Alleged "Hotel Barber" Arrested A Ship Steward's "Belongings" (From "Truth's" Auckland Rep.) A rather smart piece of work, always providing of course that he has secured the right man, was .brought off by Detective Hammond at Auckland last week. As is usual during the festive season all the best class of hotels are pretty ft^l with visitors, and so it was with the Royal Hotel, where some $0 visitors were staying during last week. Oh Thursday morning several of those staying at the Royal discovered that during 4 slumber on Wednesday night their rooms had been "barbered" and a quantity of money, together with some jewellery taken. - INQUIRIES AND INVESTIGATIONS revealed' that of the guests Fred Hail had been "massaged" for £37, Harold P. Dalwood for £10 and David R. de Costa for a matchbox, a Masonic emblem, a diamond ring, pendant, and ■30s. • , The thefts were at once reported to the police and Detective Hammond was told off to investigate and the rapid work of the detective and the' arrest- of the alleged thief is one of the smartest achievements ever accomplished -m Auckland. 'Tec Hammond'a specialty is the rounding up of the thieving and spieling fraternity and he soon decided, after a glance at the rooms, that the thefts were the work of a thief unknown m New Zealand, and also that it had beqn done by someone inside the hotel . The detective visited the various rooms and finally had his suspicions aroused upon visiting room 43 to find a number of cigarette butts on. the floor, which suggested to the "demon" that "No. 43," whoever he may bo, had not had a good night's sleep. Questions elicited the information that "No. 43" was a gentleman named "C. G. Enwright," who had £ho previous evening paid for dinner, bed, and break-' fast, but had not had dinner nor breakfast , Detectiye Hammond opined that "No; 43", had hot made, full use of the bed either. The porter at. the Royal remembered a "gentleman" like "No. ,43" coming to him about 5.30 that morning and' asking for a cup of tea, for which kindness tie "tipped" the porter ' • .'"■ A COUPLE OF "BOB." m, each instance the .missing money arid jewellery, had been taken from clothing thrown over the back of a chair and with all the facts before him Detective Hammond (decided to try the s.s. Westralia, which was leaving for Sydney that afternoon. . Inquiries on the boat revealed that one chap, Cyril .George Pegg, who had shipped at Sydney as a steward^ appeared to have a lot to learn anent the work of a steward, and to this man Detective Hammond at once hied himself. Pegg proved to be a smart-look-ing young man of 23 years, and when questioned by tho detective, be admitted that he was' "No, 43," from tho Royal Hotel. Asked why he vhad given tho name of Enwright, he said that was his mother's name and that he could use it if he wished, while as for any fuss being mado about stolen money arid Jewellery i it was a matter of perfect indifference to him. But tho detective, -remembering that it was strange that a ship's steward should pay for meals and bed at a hotel when he could get them for nothing, was not at all satisfied, and decided to search "No. 43's" bunk; and "traps," but nothing was discovered. Then the "demon" noticed that the bunka were arranged "twin fashion" end. he began a search of the bunk next to Pegj;'s. Under tho mattress and rolled up m a handkerchief the detective found three '£10 notes, 18 singles, and a watch, chain and matchbox, which were jjuusequently identified as articles! ulleced to have boen stolen from the RoynJ Hotel. Amongst' the money stolen from tho hotel were also three "tennera," and tho detective at once arrested Pegg,. alias Enwright, alias "No. 43." The arrest was made at 3 p.m., only a few hours after the thefts hud been reported to the police. On Friday. Cyril George Pegg, was charged with th'c theft of £43 and the jewellery mentioned above, and Detcc-tivo-nergearit Hollls, who conducted the case, said that he wished the evidence to be partly taken and then tho case adjourned for a week. Lawyer Allan Moody, who appeared Cor accused, agreed to this. Frederick Hall, shoepfarrner, at Glsbornc, David^e Costa, secretary of the Poverty Bay Turf Club, and Harold P. Dalwood. commercial traveller, trave evidence as lo missing certain moneys from their clothing. Hall also identified the watch, chain and matchbox AS PART OF HIS PROPERTY. Evidence was also given that accused tn tho namo of Enwright, had paid for bed. dinner and breakfast on the Wednesday, but had not. partaken of any meals at tho hotel, and had also | left Iho hotel about 6.30 u.tn. the following morning. At this stasre tho case was adjourned for o. -week. It being understood that another week's adjournment would then bo asked for, . ( .