TOTALISATOR EMPLOYEES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2126, 7 December 1920, Page 7

TOTALISATOR EMPLOYEES.

ACQUITTED OF THEFT CHARGES. Press Association. AUCKLAND, December 6. At Ahe Supreme Court to-day, two totalizator employees—William Tobin and Samuel Ward —appeared to stand their second trial on a charge of having stolen £9, the property of Harry J. Hayr, at Avondale, on October 2. Alternative charges of theft and having fraudulently omitted to account for moneys received on the totalisator at Avondale were also preferred against the accused. The first trial of the accused was heard on November 23 and 24, before the Chief Justice, when the jury failed to agree. ■ Evidence p'milar to that given at the first trial was tendered. The case for the Crown rested upon two transactions, in one of which a £lO note and in the other a £5 note were handed in at the window of the totalisator where the two accused were employed, no change being received by the persons who handed them in. Both accused gave evidence, denying any guilty intention. Tobin stated that he gave the £lO note to Ward to hold in case anyone came back and claimed it. Ward stated that when Hayr spoke to him about the £lO note, he immediately produced it and handed it to Hayr. When Tobin gave him the £lO note he told witness to give it to the owner if he called for it, and to collect £l. Evidence as to character was called. After a short retirement, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and the prisoners were discharged.