MACK IN A MUDDLE

NZ Truth, Issue 869, 22 July 1922, Page 6

MACK IN A MUDDLE

Alleged Theft Of Tobacco A solidly-built man, George Mack (47), was charged before Magistrate Poynton on Monday with breaking and entering the premises of John Kershaw, Ltd., grocers, Pitt Street, and • stealing tobacco and cigarettes to ithe value of £10. Chief Detective Mcllveney iprosecuted, the accused being undefended. John Kershaw, grocer, Pitt Street, said that his shop was broken into on the night of July 1. Entrance was gained by breaking the glass of one of the windows. An attempt had been made to blow open the safe, but the attempt failed and a locksmith had to be subsequently secured to open the safe. From the stock about £10 worth of tobacco had been stolen. Mrs. Ada Matheson said that she lived close to Kershaw's shop, and on the afternoon of Saturday, July 1, she saw two men near the shop. One of the men came to her place and asked if she had any birds for sale, and she replied that her >son was at the football match and that the birds wore his. The man who spoke to her was short, but the other, whose face she did not see, was a tall, broad-shouldered 'man 'like the accused. However, he was dressed m a dark grey suit and not like the accused. Accused: What sort of suit did the tall man wear? — A dark grey. You are quite certain the man never wore clothes like I have on now? — Quite certain. Would you recognise the tall man if you saw him? — No, I couldn't. And you are certain it wasnt me you saw? — It was a man about your build. Lawrence Matheson, son of the last witness, said that on the flight of July 1, about 11.30 p.m., he heard an explosion, • which sounded m the direction of Kershaw's shop. He took no notice, and a little later heard a r.oise of glass breaking. Next morning he saw that one of the windows of Kershaw's shop had been broken and he informed the police. George Reid, fisherman, , of Taumarunui, said that one day m June he bought a quantity of tobacco from accused for £2 10s, and it was subsequently taken charge of by Detective Meiklejohn. On July 14 witness was charged with receiving and placed on probation for , two years. Accused: Are you quite sure I am the man who sold you that tobacco? —Yes, Where did I get the sugar bag of tobacco from? — I couldn't tell you. Somewhere m Cook Street. When I gave you the sugar bag was there anyone else there? — There was, across the road. Who were they?— -Chris. Brown was one, I think, and my brother. Were they waiting for me? — I don't know. • They were on the other side of the road? — Yes. Did they see me hand you the sugar bag?— -I don't know. They must have if they were across the road? — They were well up the road by then. Just now you said they were across the road? — They were walking along. If these men say they did not see me give you the bag they would not be telling the truth, or that I did not give you the bag? — They would not be telling the truth. They may not have seen it. Detective Arthur Meiklejohn said that he inquired into the breaking and entering of Kershaw's premises. In the lane, at the back of the shop were marks of hob-nailed boots of large size and quite m keeping with the boots worn by accused. It would jbe rare to find men wearing hobnailed boots on a Saturday afternoon. Subsequently witness questioned accused, who admitted seeing George Reid at Chris. Brown's house on the Sunday, but denied selling any tobacco to Reid. Witness examined the safe at Kershaw's on Sunday, July 2, and found a piece of fuse m the keyhole. Detective O'Sulllvan gave corroborative evidence. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial.