MANIA FOR MECHANICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 31

MANIA FOR MECHANICS.

THEFTS FROM MOTOR LAUNCHES.

TWO YOUNG MEN ARRESTED

A sequel to the reported thefts from motor launches was the appearance of Wiliam James Matthews, alias James Lynch, and John Smith at the City Police Court on the 3th. Smith was charged conjointly with the other accused on two informations of theft on July 15 and 23, when the articles appropriated were Edison earthenware cells, an electric coil, and an electric switch, the property of John Symonds. Matthews had 21 charges of a similar nature against him, the total value of tho articles stolen involving a sum of £SO.

Mr B. S. Irwin appeared for Smith, and .u.ii tiiews was not represented by counsel. Each of the accused pleaded “Guilty.” Chief Detective Herbert, who prosecuted, said that Deteciive-sergcant Connolly arrested -Matthews on tho wharf on Saturday last on a charge of tho thelt of a pair of boots and an overcoat. Matthews had admitted this theft. When questioned the accused made certain admissions concerning thefts from motor boats at Pol.diet Bay, and these admissions inplicatod Smith, who lived in Harbour terrace. The Chief Detective said that Detective Ilammcrley had prepared a summary of (he thefts committed, and the best way to place the facte before the court would be to mat r.u document containing the summarv. Three facts were that Matthews was an industrial School boy, who absconded from licensed service on April 13 from a man named Cruickshank, near Gore. According i accused’s statement, he ran away from his employer and walked to Dunedin, where ho lived as best ho could. He obtained work in Hudson’s bkcuit factory, and went to board and lodge with the other accused. Matthews was 17 years of age, and Smith 21. On or about June 23 they went together to Pelichet Bay, where they stole a magneto from Air Alelvillc’s launch. This art’cle, valued at about £5, they brought back to the house, where they planted it until they had built a small workshop in the back yard, where finally the magneto was stored. Matthews was dismissed from tho factory, and got similar employment at the Phoenix biscuit factory, which he left on July 12. He admitted having stolen a cycle, valued at £5, tho property of James Aigie, which he sold to a dealer for 15s, and on tho 19th he stole another cycle, wh.’oh ho sold to another dealer for 12s, on both occasions giving the name of James Lynch. About the same date he went to Anderson’s Bay, where he stole a saw' from a boat shed, and a few days later ho went to Ravensbourne, where he broke open several launches and stole a quantity of electrical fittings and appliances, which lie took to Smith’s house. On the 23rd Matthews broke open about 12 launches and about as many boat sheds at Pelichet Bay, taking whatever electrical fittings he wanted, and talcing them all to Smith’s house, whore they wore planted in tho workshop. Smith went with Matthews on tho second occasion {about tho 23rd), when they stole a quantity of electrical material from a launch belonging to John Symonds, which was also taken to Smith’s house and planted. The total amount of property reported stolen from various launch owners was valued at nearly £SO, not more than £lO worth of which had been recovered. Air James Johnston, of tho Empire Buildings, was about tho heaviest loser, his loss being about £l4, and none of las property had been recovered. In almost every case tho property stolon waa electrical appliances and tools, and Matthews had stated that it was all taken to Smith’s house, where they set up a small plant and generated electric light for their room. Smith admitted that this was true, but said that ho was with Matthews on only two occasions when the thefts were committed, although he knew that the property Alutthcws brought to the house was stolen. Matthews said that after he left the Phoenix ho had no more money with which to pay bis board, and lie loft Smith’s house on or about July 26. leaving the stolen property there. He did not go back to tho house, and did not know what became of tho property. On the day he left he broke into Gregg and Co.’s factory and stole a brief bag and other property, which had been iocovered. lie had been sleeping out and stealing his food. Ho broke into a shed belonging to the Harbour Board, and stoic a pair of boots and an overcoat, as well as some lunches of the men working in the neighbourhood. When arrested lie franklyadmitted all tho thefts, and seemed to have been particularly truthful. Sulwoquent to liis arrest Detective-sergeant Connolly, with Detectives Hammerly and Hall, went to Smith’s house, whore they met with a veryhostile reception at tho hands of the Smith family, and had to get a search warrant. Although a very thorough search of tho place was made, the detectives recovered only a small pulley, which had been removed from the dynamo of Johnston’s property. Unfortunately, between the time that' the offences wore committed and the hsue of the search warrant, tho thefts had been made public, which might account for the removal of tho stuff from Smith’s to some other place, or its dumping in the harbour. Tho Smith family had acted in a very hostile manner, and in a way that the police wore not accustomed to. Chief-detectivc Herbert said that after Smith was arrested and realised his position ho did everything he could to help tho police in their search for (he missing articles. Ho stated, however, that he did not know anything about the stolen goods, and this was believed by the police. The Magistrate asked if the police were considering tho question of bringing a charge for receiving against the occupiers of the house. Tho Chief Detective eaid that would have to bo considered. In tho meantime lie thought that perhaps it would be well if tho court did not deal with Smith for a few- da vs. This might have the effect of making' the accused’s people see their position and thus assist in recovering tho stolen property. The goods had not been Mild, but had been disposed of in some way, and it was within the power of Smith’s relatives, ho believed, to assist in restoring them to their owners. Tho detectives were quite satisfied that all the electrical gear went to Smith’s house. In behalf of Smith, Mr Irwin said Matthews was destitute, and a half-brother of Smith’s took him homo and gave him lodgings. The two accused became chums, and Matthews was the ringleader in the crimes committed. Smith was just a little

soft, having previously been in the country. Smith did not know whore iho goods had disappeared to, and if some relatives, under a mistaken idea that it vould be doing some good, had thrown »hcm into the harbour, could Smith help iv?. It was quite clear that if Smith knew where the goods were it would be to his advantage to say so, but the fact was ho did not know and could not _ toll. Previously to becoming implicated in these offences he had borne a very good character, and had earned good money and could have purchased the mechanical appliances stolen had ho so desired. Matthews seemed to have a craze for mechanics, hence the thefts.

Chief Detective Herbert pointed out that, while only two charges were brought against Smith, the fact remained that ho knew that all the goods were stolen.

Smith was remanded for a week to obtain the probation officer’s report and also to enable the police to continue their inquiries with respect to the missing property. Bail was allowed as formerly.