HIS MATE’S BOOTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2255, 29 July 1908, Page 2

HIS MATE’S BOOTS.

YOUNG MAN CHARGED WITH THEFT. DRINK THE TROUBLE. After having been sentenced oil a charge of drunkenness at the Police Court yesterday morning beloro Mr \V. A. Birton SAL, a young man named Alexander Voting was further charged with stealing a pair of boots on tho 27th inst., the property of Albert Sydney George Snowden. Sergeant Hutton prosecuted and accused, who pleaded not guilty, was not defended.

A. iS. G. Snowdon stated, that ho and he accused had been working as mates together at Tologa Bay and had had come to town by the couch, lie left his swag in Redstone’s stables and underneath the swag ho placed his hoots. When he went to the stables to recover his property, lie found the hoots to be missing. Later on lie met accused at the corner of Peel Street with one of the boots in each hand. Witness said to him: “What are you doing with those boots.” Accused beckoned with his head and said “Come here.” Witness approached closer and, as he did so, accused threw the boots at his head, one of them striking him. Ho left the -boots where they fell, and informed the police, recovering tho boots afterwards.

George Whitbread, stableman, said that he saw tho accused at Bedstones’ stables tho previous day. Accused said “I am taking some things away, they are mine.” The hoots produced in Court were similar to those accused had taken from tho stable.

Constable Scott gave evidence as to the finding of the boots, with Snowden, at. the .corner of Peel street, and Constable P-ratt testified to the arrest of accused, who was very drunk. Accused made a rambling statement from tlie dock and said: “Tho two of us was having a drink in a pub, and I asked him (Snowden) for i bob to get another drink. He refused, and I went to the stables and got his boots. I came up the street again, and met him. I asked him if I could sell the boots to get. a drinlc. Ho said, ‘No,’ so I chucked them at him.”

Hie Worship said he had no doubt drink was at the bottom of tho whole trouble. Sentence would be deferred for 7 days’ pending a report from the Probation officer.