WHOLESALE SHOPLIFTING.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19461, 28 December 1934, Page 7

WHOLESALE SHOPLIFTING.

■ CHARGES AGAINST WOMAN. GOODS VALUED AT £3OO, ’ For the fourth time, Ellen Marion Mather, a married woman, about whom the police are making exhaustive inquiries in connection with goods believed to have been acquired in shop- | i lifting expeditions, was remanded by Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court last week, tills time until January 22. Bail was allowed in self £IOO, witli one surety of £IOO. Accused is at present charged with stealing goods valued at £1 2s 9d from Milters, Ltd., on December 4. Mr C. E. Purchase, lor accused, said the 'Chief Detective had said his instructions were to proceed on all the goods taken from accused’s house, which were valued at over £3OO. If the charges were going to involve all those, it was obvious that the hearing might lake up lo five days. Rome of the goods were 13 years old; short skirls and long skirls, fashions that extended over many years; ami it was quite obvious that accused could not plead to all the articles that were lliero. At the detective olllce tier examination had taken 20 hours, her statement finally covering GO pages. "It seems to me,” added Mr Purchase, “ when the ehief-delectivo described it as a miniature lire inquiry, • and nut 100 miniature, that we are In J for a fairly long session. Twenty pages

of her statement deal with goods that have not been identified.” Counsel suggested that accused be dealt with and the ownership of the goods established afterward. Chief-Detective W. 11. Dunlop said accused had clothes in her possession that she could not possibly have acquired, although the police had her explanation of where she bought them. “ She has rig-outs that I don't sup--1 pose the wealthiest woman in Christchurch could better," lie said. Counsel objected to Hie last remark, | but the Magistrate said he had had the advantage of inspecting the goods and could appreciate their value.