A WRESTLING STAKE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 97, 7 December 1911, Page 3

A WRESTLING STAKE.

SOMKBQDY GOT AWAY WITH IT

Last Saturday morning at the Dunedin Police Court, before Mr. Widdowson, S. M., John Thomas Treacy mas charged with stealing £o, the property of Alexander Bain, Chief-detective Herbert conducted the prosecution and Mr. Hanlon appeared for accused, who nleaded not guilty. Alex. Bain said that he was a professional wrestler, and had a tent on the show ground on Thursday of tins week. A bout was arranged between Gilliland, one of his men and a Maori luimod Moana. W itiiess put up £ | and Moana put up £2. Witness called for somebody to hold the money, so as to show the genuineness of the match. Accused said that he would hold the money and witness handl'd him five £1 notes. Gilliland lost the match, and Moana claimed the money, but when witness called for the stakeholder he had disappeared. Witness promptly reported the matter to Detective Ward The match was limited to five minutes If Gilliland did not throw Moana in that Moana won. Joseph Gilliland, a professional wrestler, deposed that be saw the £b handed to accused. After the bout lie looked for accused, and he was gone. All in the tent except the wrestlers wore fully dressed. To Mr. Hanlon -The match'was genuine so far as he was concerned. He did not know Moana , hut had met him before. If ho (Gilliland) had won the £5 would have gone to his employer. Joseph Preschner, professional wrestler and carpenter, said that ho was on the door on Thursday. He saw Treacy leave hastily before the finish of the performance, and as he passed out lie used a vulgar expression about the bout not being square. Moana Parateno a big man, said that ho was a shearing export in

charge of flic Wolcsly machines at the show, it was arranged that he and Gilliland should wrestle for £5. After the match was over he claimed the money and the accused had vanished. Mr. Bain paid tire money out of his own pocket. Win. Donovan (surveyor) gave evidence as to the money being lodged with accused. Thomas Saunders (coal merchant) said that ho consented to act as referee, and he decided in favour of Moana. He saw Treacy backing round the ring before the match started. He did not know any of the parties. Detective Ward gave evidence as to Bain making a complaint on the show ground. Accused came to the polihe station the next morning and made a statement to the effect that whilst ae was standing in the tent, waiting for the wrestling to begin ,a thin man, fully dressed with the exception of his coat, cried out “All bets are off,” and I want my fiver’-’ whereupon he handed over the money to this man, believing that ho was connected with the show.

Mr. Hanlon submitted that the case was exceedingly weak and did not justify a conviction. The statement made oy the accused was perfectly reasonable. What he said did take place .night have taken place. He went co the police of his own accord when iic heard there was something wrong. That was not the action of a guilty nan. Moreover, he did not sneak out if the tout, as a thief would, but passed the doorkeeper, and in doing •;o expressed his disgust at the bout not being square. Accused .was a jottle-gatlierer, a married man, and dicre was nothing against him except that as boy he was charged with a trivial offence and convicted aid discharged. ■l. 1 Accused, examined on oath, said chat some man approached him from the direction of the door, said to him “All bets arc off,’ ’and held out his hand for the money, whereupon he (Treacy) passed over the £5. He enow nobody in the tent except Mr. aid Airs. Hussey. The man who ask'd for the money was a tall and fair nan, with his coat off and his sleeves turned up. He (Treacy) waited till “Time” was called, and then passed >ut. He did not hurry away, hut itood talking near the door. He drought that the man who asked for ;ho money was connected with the ihow.’ To the Magistrate: All the parties were perfect strangers to him. ft was a man named Wright who told dm there was a row about the £5, uid that was why he went to the polce.

His Worship said he thought that Wright should bo called, and the case vas adjourned till Tuesday for that purpose. Accused was liberated on his iwn recognisances.