THEFTS FROM FACTORY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 509, 12 November 1928, Page 13

THEFTS FROM FACTORY

SUSPECT BEFORE COURT LABOURER FOR TRIAL More was heard of thefts from Sargood, Son and Ewen's factory m Hobson Street on the evening of October 22. when Bertie John Christian appeared at the Police | Court this morning. | Christian, a labourer, aged 27, was carged with breaking and entering the factory of Sargood. Son ad Ewer in ! Hobson Street and stealing clothing and material valued at £ 80. The goods produced in court, and found in Christian’s possession at the I time ot his arrest, were identified by [ Charles Ernest Judson, manager of the l factory. 1 , Allen. who lives in Cook Street in a house that overlook* the back of tho factory, remembered that, at 7.0 on Labour Day. she had noticed that some of the windows were open at the back of the building. About 9.30 that evening her dog appeared restless and was barking, so she looked over the fence and saw three young men jump the fence into Vincent Street and run away. She noticed that they were carrying parcels and told her husband and a friend, who went to get the police. According to John Whittaker, a restaurant proprietor, a man had come in to see him on Sunday, October 21. and had offered to sell 12 aprons for three shillings. He had a parcel with him. Witness had declined to buy because ho felt sure that goods offered at that price must have been dishonestly obtained. In response to a summons. Constable Rutu hurried into Vincent Street about 9.30 on Monday evening and had seen two men carrying parcels. He had called on them to drop their packages so that he might examine them. This they did, but one of the men struck witness with his fist and ran away. The constable arrested the other man. Witness identified the goods produced in court as those carried by Christian and his companion at the time of the arrest. In reply tj> Mr. J. J. Sulivan, for Christian, Constable Putt said that there could be little doubt that Christian had had some liquor; in fact, he had a drink of beer while witness was present. Thomas Sneddon, a detective, interviewed Christian after the arrest. He was given the explanation that accused had been asked by an acquaintance to help carry the parcels. Tlio man, whom Christian had said that he had known for about two weeks, was said to be Jack Smith, of 6.1 Wellington Street. “I made inquiries,” continued witness, “and was told that there was no man of that name at the address.” Chief-Detective Hammond: The name Jack Smith would have been enough for me. Detective Sneddon said that, when invited by Christian to search his house, neither he nor Constable Putt had found any more stolen goods. Pleading not guilty and reserving his defence, Christian was committed to tho Supreme Court for trial. On the application of Mr. Sullivan, bail, which had been fixed at £SOO, was reduced to two sureties of £l5O each.