A "MUG" FROM KAIWARRA

NZ Truth, Issue 978, 23 August 1924, Page 3

A "MUG" FROM KAIWARRA

Peculiar Theft

A Woman m ,the Case.

(From "Truth's" Christchurch Rep.) An unscheduled event m last week's Grand National programme at Christchurch was that which landed Samuel McDonald, alias John McDonald, alias Cox, before a couple of J.P's m the Christchurch Magistrate's Court the other day. McDonald was charged with being an idle and disorderly person, and with having stolen £15 from Alexander Harvey, -.a- man who came from ,Kai warra ■ to . . Christchurch to pick winners. It would appear from the evidence that Harvey came to Christchurch with a hard-earned cheque, and, getr ting m , tow with some people who are not altogether prohibitionists, spent freely and , was eventually dumped, without cash or consciousness, m an out-of-the-way lane down Papanui vay. ... . ■..-...:■ Harvjy, who described, himself as a laborer, told the Court that he came to CLristchurch early m August with 1.8/- m silver and a cheque for £18. He stayed m Sydenham, and, the day after his arrival, turned his cheque into currency. He knocked about town that day, and, after having a few drinks, met McDonald, and went with him to see a bach which he might ient. . Arriving at the bach, Harvey gave McDonald a ''fiver" to buy some "booze," and, on McDonald's return with the cargo, Harvey had "one or tvo," and subsequently woke up several hours later, lying on the grass at the back of a church and minus £15 or; £16 which he had had m his possession at the time he went to inspect the bach. Detective L.c Soeiir's evidence was concerning a trip he had with Harvey to a certain bach. Later m the d^y he went to the bach and picked up" McDoiiald, who, on the way to the police station, violently capsized the detective and made off, but was subsequently captured after a short chase. A man named Joseph A. Smith tpld a story of having gone to McDonald's bach with some scones. On the way | there he met McDonald, who said he; wanted some whisky, as he had a woman and a "mug" locked up m the bach. The whisky and some beer were purchased out of a "fiver" which McDonald . said . the "mug" had put! over, and at the bach witness was introduced: to Harvey and "the woman." Harvey was "three parts drunk" and went ' off to sleep. A game of cards was started, but the woman didn't join m because she was sitting on Harvey's knee. She put her hand inside "the old gentleman's" coat and pulled out a leather wallet, from which she extracted two "fivers." She threw one of the notes on the floor and kept the other. Previous to, this, Harvey had asked .whether there was any change out of the "fiver" he had given McDonald for the purchase of. the liquid refreshments, arid McDonuld answered that Harvey had "£1 to come." At McDonald's suggestion, however., this note was -.presented to the woman. It turned out. that the^woman In the case was Cecilia Parkinson, a widow, residing at a house m Papanui Road. She gave. evidence that she and Harvey and McDonald went to the bach of the last-named/ one evening, after the hotels had closed! Harvey gave McDonald a. fiver, to purchase some drink; and McDonald, going out on his errand; locked witness, and Harvey m the bach. When McDonald returned, m company with another.man, he mentioned that he was going to dope Harvey, and leave him for dead. He thereupon took a small bottle from his pocket and poured something into a drink which he prepared for the visitor from Kai warra; Harvey, went to sleep, but, just before "going off }".< told McDonald to giver "the lady" £1. .-.'■' McDonald carried out; this instruction, but, later, took the note away from the woman. Witness denied touching.. Harvey's purse. ' She 'contended' that if • she had wanted to rob him she could easily have done, so' while she. was locked m the bach with him. Accused lengthily cross-examined the witness, who said that she had been m Harvey's company about half an hour before McDonald accosted him. •'•-■ . , McDonald pleaded not guilty to the theft charge and was committed for trial. The charge of being idle and disorderly was withdrawn., Accused was found guilty by a. jury m, the Supreme Court and subsequently sentenced to two years' imprisonment.