A DEAL IN BOOTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16610, 5 February 1916, Page 11

A DEAL IN BOOTS

FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES. COOLIE IMPRISONED FOR FOUR MONTHS. An interesting case, which depended for its establishment more upon the evidence of surrounding circumstances than -upon the woight of direct proof, was heard in the port Chalmers Court yesterday morning, before Messrs J. Watson and D. M. M.awson, J.P.'s. The accused was a coolie named Abdul Aziz, employed as a general servant on board the Aparima/ and he was charged with stealing the sum of £5 from a fisherman named Edward Corbett. Mr Haggitt appeared for the accused,_ and entered a plea of "Not guilty" on his behalf. Sergeant Dougan stated that, on January 31, Corbett met the accused /in a barber's shop, and, after some conversation, the coolie offered. to sell him a pair of boots which he hn.d on (board the Aparima. The deal took place, but, as Corbett had not sufficient money with him, the accused accompanied him to his ho.ise, where he took down a box containing £3 and gave Aziz 15s for the boots, that being the price arranged upon. Carelessly leaving the box open, Corbett then entered an inner room, and on his return the two men left the house together. On his return the complainant had discovered his loss, whereupon the police had investigated the matter. That night the acoused was arrested, having then in his possession the sum of £1 15s. Inquiries at business places showed: that he had changed a £1 note for silver, and exchanged another for a sovereign. They had been able to account for three pounds directly after the robbery had been reported, and, in addition, the accused had paid for a shave, which he had previously been unable to do. It was further known that he had received only £1 in wages since hia vessel reached Port Chalmers. The accused, in evidence, admitted all the foregoing facts, with one exception. Ho denied taking the money, and said he did not enter Corbett's house, but remained at the door while the complainant obtained the money. This statement was rebutted by the complainant, and also by the em'dence of a yountr lady who was passing tho house at the time. Richard Crow, mate on _ board the Aparima, also gave evidence, in which he stated that the accused bore anything but a rrood character. Tho Bench said it was convinced that tho accused had stolen the money. He would bo convicted and sentenced to four months' imprisonment, with hard labour, in the Lyttelton gaol, while the sum of £1 15s found in his possession would be refunded to Oorbett.