THE WANDERING WALLET

NZ Truth, Issue 890, 16 December 1922, Page 5

THE WANDERING WALLET

Anderson On His Ear

Queer Affair m Customs Street.

It was admitted by a tall chap named Allen Draper Anderson that on November 4 he had so much grog aboard that he didn't remember much about the happenings- of the afternoon and that on that occasion he lost a wallet, which was a couple of days afterwards returned to him at his place of work. Thiß furnished the foundation for a charge of theft from the person against two young men, Daniel McEwan .and William George Richardson, m the Auckland Police Court on Monday last. The firßtnamed was defended by Allan Moody, nnd Lawyer West appeared for Richardson. ; Anderson said he had been m several pubs trying to drown an uncontrollable thirst and he thought he remembered being near the railway station and seeing the two accused. He had a wallet containing a few private -papers m his inside breast-pocket that morning, and on the following morning he found it had disappeared. On the day after that, however, it was returned during his absence to the place m which he was employed as an engraver, Two taxi-men on the Customs Street rank told the tale of the affair out of which the charge ensued. On the day ln question thoy saw a. drunk go staggering along Customs Street. That drunk was Anderson. He was being followed by the two accused. Anderson was stopped by the Water Police and the men then pulled up and disappeared around the corner towards the railway station. A little later Anderson w*as allowed to continue on his way and he staggered 'up the street until ho fell. ' The taxi-men went towards him when they saw the two accqsed again, coming along the street from the direction of Parnell. These men reached the fallen drunk first and the taller of the two (McEwan) helped him to his feet. As he did so, he rapidly inserted his hand and removed a wallet from the drunk's pocket, which he transferred to his own. It was a quick actiOn, but not quick enough to avoid the keen sight of the taxi-drivers. Then the taxi-men Informed the police and latter on tho two aocuaed were arrested. At this Btage Chief-Detective McIlveney said he would ask for an adjournment for a week, as a man named Morton, who had picked the wallet up near the railway station and returned it to the business address of Anderson had to be located to give evidence. Mr. Wilson said he did not think an adjournment necessary. It would certainly be unfair to Richardson, against whom there was no evidence excepting that he was m the company of the other accused, who might havo taken the wallet without his seeing or conniving at the affair. The Magistrate then discharged Richardson. Lawyer Moody: Do you think there is a prima facie case against McEwan? Magistrate: Yes; according to the evidence he was seen to take. the wallet from Anderson's pocket. Mr. Moody then asked for summary jurisdiction, but this the Magistrate said he could not agree to. The charge was one of thoft from tho person; it was punishable by a heavy penalty and he did not feci Justified m dealing with lt m that Court. McEwan was thon committed for trial tq the Supreme Court, bail being fixed at £100. He pleaded not guilty und reserved his defence.