POLICE COURT, HAMILTON.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 102, 4 March 1897, Page 2

POLICE COURT, HAMILTON.

Wkdnksdav.- (Before Captain Jackson, S.M). TIIKIT. Jons Kay was charged with stealing a set of watchmaker's tools, a vest, pair of trousers and a blanket from the premises of J. B. Harker, of Hamilton, ou Ist March. The accused admitted having the articles in his possession, but said they were entrusted to him by Mr Harker in lieu of wages. Constable Forbes said before proceeding with the case he wished to withdraw the charge against accused's mate, who had had nothing to do with the theft beyond sleeping in the room where it was committed. J. B. Harker, who was the principal witness, detailed the circumstances of the case at great length. Accused, who had been in his employ exactly a fortnight, came to him on February stli and asked for work. He offered to woi k for £1 per week and was engaged, but he commenced drinking and did not turn up for a week. On Saturday l.'Sth, accused came to him and asked for money to get a bed, witness to!d him he had a spire stretcher with bedding, which he might shitt into the room where he was going to work and use. Arrangements were then made for accused to start work ou Monday, 13th February ; he did so, but bungled an! botched all the watches entrusted to his cise. During the week accused asked tor various small sums, and on the following Saturday night was paid 10s, the balance of his wazes. During the next week witness gave accused '2i, ami on Saturday night, 27th hist., 10s, leaving a balance, due of Bs. On that date witness spoke to him about the unsatisfactory nature of the work he had been doing, and agieed to take him on again on Monday morning ou condition that he would try and do better. On coming to his shop the following Monday morning he found accused's room deserted, and miss d the articles mentioned. The tools produced in Court were his, as also were the trousers produced an I the vest accused was wearing. ■ Accused here stated that the clothes had been g'Ven to him by Mr Harker. \\ itness said Kay was a poor workman, and cost more than he earned. His Worship said that might be so, but the wages were certainly not very extravagant. Constable Jones gave evidence as to the arrest of the piisoner ana his mate at Te Awauiutii ou Monday, and finding the tools in his possession. Accused, when asked if he wished to make a statement, said Harker hail promised to pay him his wages in full (in Saturday, February 27th, but only him 10s, and he hail a hard enough jo™ to get that. Captain .lacksou said the offence Was a serious one, but iu dealing with it he would take into consideration the fact that accused had previously borne a good character, and that possibly he was excited through drink »t the time the offence was committed. On this account he had decided to deal with the case summarily. He sentenced him to three months' imprisonment with hard labour.