ALLEGED THEFT OF A HAT

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1930, Page 12

ALLEGED THEFT OF A HAT

NATIVE IN WAITARA COURT. CASE ADJOURNED FOR EVIDENCE. Charged with the theft from the commercial room of the Bridge Hotel of a felt hat valued at 275. 6d., the property of Charles Handley, drover, of Urenui, a Maori, Jacob Kaingaru (Mr. A. A, Bennett) appeared yesterday in the Waitara Court before Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M. Frederick Locke, manager of the Waitara branch of W. T. Hookham’s, stated that he had sold a hat to Handley similar to the one produced, and he believed that it was the same hat. However, It was quite possible for the hat to have been procured at either the New Plymouth or Inglewood branches of his firm. Charles Handley identified the hat as his, and proceeded to fit it on his head, at the same time asking the magistrate to note the “good fit.” He said he purchased it during April. When it was but a few hours old he entered the commercial room of the Bridge Hotel and tay down on one of the couches for a sleep, still wearing the hat. Some Maoris, among whom was Kaingaru, entered the room before he dozed. He missed the hat when he awoke, but was not certain whether the natives had left .the room before he went to sleep, or not. The licensee of- the hotel had no knowledge of the affair, so, about a fortnight later, he complained to the police. Kaingaru, to the police and witness, asserted that he had purchased the hat in Inglewood. The trio then proceeded to the drapery firm concerned, and, after a talk with Constable Mills and Locke defendant admitted that the hat was Handley’s, but alleged that a Maori doctor, Puke, for whom the hat was too small, gave it to him. Following that, he offered to pay 30s. for the hat, and £1 for the loss of the use of it and the toss of time spent in search of it. A statement to that effect was signed by defendant and witness was satisfied. No money had been forthcoming. In answer to Mr. Bennett witness stated that the hat was new when he lost it. Counsel asked if it was in the same condition as at present, and witness said It was. Mr, Bennett: Then it was obviously a used and dirty hat’? Witness: Yes. He said he had no marks of identifica-' Sion on it. Constable A. J. Mills said that after receipt of the complaint he noticed defendant in McLean. Street wearing a hat which tallied .with the description he had been given. Defendant went into a barber’s shop and witness sent Handley in to identify the hat, which he did, Kaingaru said he had bought the hat from the Waitara branch of the firm, When told he had made no such purchase for two years defendant said he had bought it at the Inglewood branch, later asserting that he procured it from Puke, the Maori doctor. A statement taken by the police from Puke was ruled by the court as inadmissible, it being stated that the doctor should appear as a witness. Constable Lapouple said that Puke was hard to communicate with, as he was continually travelling. If it was necessary to have him the case would have to be adjourned. Continuing his evidence, Constable Mills stated that Kaingaru had approached him on several occasions to ask that Puke be left out of the matter. The case was adjourned until the next sitting of the court in order that Puke might appear as a witness.