A MISSING RING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16358, 22 February 1921, Page 7

A MISSING RING.

w STORY OF TRIP TO SYDNEY. AUCKLAND VISITORS FALL OUT.

The story of a trip t-o Sydney and a missing ring occupied the greater part of the time of th© Sydney Police Court on February 4. Cecilia Russell, twenty-three. appeared on a charge of having stolen a diamond ring valued at £llß, the property of William Anderson. Mr Penny appeared for t}j© prosecution, and Air R. B. Meagher for the defence. Sergeant Saunders, of Randwick Police Station, stated that about 2 p.m. on January 29 he saw defendant, with Br Brockway at Havelock Flats. Arden Street, Coogee. He told her ho had a warrant for her arrest in connection with the ring. Defendant said, “ I did not steal it. Ho gave it to me.” She was wearing a ring at th© time which she said was the one in question. Witness asked her for it. Br Brockway asked whether tho police or Anderson was laying tho charge, and remarked, “ Couldn’t a surety be entered into for it. You know possession is nino points of the law." CASH AND REAL ESTATE. William* Anderson, of independent i means, of Ponsonby, Auckland, said he ! had known defendant for about two j years. In tha.t period ho had given I her in cash about £I6OO, and real esI t-ate as well. On December 9, he and defendant left Auckland by the Nij agara, occupying separate cabins, and • stayed on arrival at the Hotel Metroj pole, where they had separate rooms. I On December 21 they had a difference i about th© hours kept by defendant. | -Next day she told him she was going jto stay with her uncle at Coogee, and j the day after witness went with her to a pawn office, where he purchased i the ring. Defendant picked up th© ! 1- i n g and the receipt, but after an argument gave it to him. They returned to th© hotel, and he left liis coat end vest in his room while he went to iAe bathroom. On his return the ring was missing from one of the pockets. Defendant. was in her room opposite at the time. Later she told him that her uncle had the ring, and would not give it to her. In answer to Air Meagher. Anderson said he was.a married man with a family. H© refused to give his age. He had given defendant, witness continued, besides £I6OO in cash, about £2<J<X> worth of real estate. The suggestion of the trip to Sydney came from her. ‘ * She pestered the life out of me,” ho declaredWere you fond of her?” asked-Mr Meagher. “Bid you have strong affection for her?”- No, I didn’t have strong affection for her. Air Meagher: Do you remember gazing into the blue expanse of ocean, and placing your arm around her waist, drawing her gently to you, and asking lier it she would likt* a nice diamond ring.-—No, I don’t. Have you and your wife ever had any arguments about taking her on. trips ?—AJy wife never knew I had taken her on trips, I should be verysorry to let her know. Bid you go in a taxi to Randwick races with defendant on Boxing Day? At lier uncle’s place did you demand tne ring as your property ?—No, )*»■- cause I did not want him to know tho circumstances in which she got it. Mr Penny: The age of chivalrv is not. departed. Mr Meagher: No—as shown hv the issue of a warrant for the arrest of a young girl 1200 miles from home. Did you take defendant and her aunt to the Caves after this?—-Yes. Mr Adrian, C.S.M., said there was not sufficient evidence to put defendant on her. trial, and h© dismissed th© case. He would make no order as to