A CHARGE OF THEFT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15383, 21 February 1912, Page 3

A CHARGE OF THEFT.

TWO BROTHERS IN TROUBLE. In tho City Police Court yesterday morning boforo Mr 11. Y. Widdowson, S.M., two brothers named Horace and Samuel Williamson wero charged with stealing on or about November i(J a dress suit valued at £7, the property of Robert K. Smith, of Tarras. Samuel Williamson wua further charged with receiving on or ulxiut tlio same Halo a dress suit from his brother, the article having boon obtained by crime. The lirst accused did not appear, but Chief Detective Herbert explained that the caso against the second accused could bo gone on with, as it would have no effect on tlio other.—Mr U. :\\ Scurr appeared for accused, who entered a plea of " Not guilty." Chief Deioetive Herbert said that the owner of tlio stolen property was a fajmer iu Central Otago. Ho loft a suit-case along with other things in an unlocked trunk at Wain's Hotel last August, and tlio trunk was subseqiwiitly places] in a storo room lo which tho brothers had access. After iho goods had been stolen they wero traced to the |M>.s.icssion of accused, who, when iiucslioned by Detective Connelly, said that tho suit was his and that he bought it in England and had it for two years. Ho (the chief detective) hoped to prove cloarly that tho suit was mado in New Zealand, and was tho property of -Mr Smith. Robert K. Smith said he recognised tho suit case nnd suit produced as his property, and said he left thorn at tho hotel. Thero were sonic other things missing from tho case. Sydney Gcorgo Roscoo, a waiter at the hotel, stated that, ho knew tho last witness, and recognised tho suit and caso tin liis property. Witness remembered putting the case in the lugKugo room. It was not locked. Ho also remembered having seen accused nt tlio hotel on ono occasion. Henry Thornton Reddell, tailor, also recognised tho suit. It was brought to him to bo made to lit accused's brothor. (''urtlier evidence was given by Patrick Kelly, who recognised tlio suit as ono lie had made while in tlio employ of Ansell and Co. about two years ago, and tliis was corrolwated by two other of tho employees. Detectivo Connelly said that, in company with Detective Thomson, he arrested accused's brother in November on two charges of thofl at Wain's Hotel. In consequenco of what ho said they visited tho of accused at the Masonic Ilctel and found a pair of lioots which had been stolen. Later, the brother opened a largo l»x in tho same room, and thero they found Iho suit and case produced. Accused claimed (ho property as his. saving he had purchased it in England. In a later interview witness went, to get tlio suit for tlio purpose of identification and accused then said he hud given it to his brother, who bad taken it to Ueddell's. Witness took possession of the suit, and shortly after Christinas accused called at the station and asked for it, savins that ho was going to Aurkland. When informed tlmt another person had recognised Ihr suit as his own accused repeated tlio statement that he bought it iu London. In conscquonro of a summons accused returned by the Tarawera, and called at the liolice station on Monday, when be said In witness that he had put his foot iu it by elaimiiiK the suit, but be did not know fcr certain whether it was stolen, and wished lo save his brother. Mr Scurr submitted that there was no case against accused. There was absolutely no evidence to show that ho had stolen the gu."ds. The Magistrate said thero seemed to be evidence to make a prima facie case against him for receiving stolen goods. Mr Scurr argued that if accused were the thief he was branded to be ho could casilv hnvc cleared out. His Worship asked why ho went, fo Auckland, and accused cxnlained that he wns travelling for Mr Woolnonchl. of Maori Hill. He wns on commission, not wages. Tho cn?e wns adjourned till Thursday in order Hint Mr Wodlnoupht might ho called.