TIN TRUNK MYSTERY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2278, 25 August 1908, Page 2

TIN TRUNK MYSTERY.

ACCUSED’S REMARKABLE STATEMENT.

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

At the conclusion of the hearing of the charge of breaking and entering agiinst Joseph Dante, at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. _ a further charge was preferred against him of having, between 26th and 28th of July, committed tho theft of a tin trunk, contiining wearing apparel to the value of £5, the property of Win. Burnett, junr., of Wliatatutu. Sergeant Hutton again conducted the prosecution, and accused was undefended.

William Burnett, residing at Whntatutu, said that he arrived in Gisborne about the end of June last from Napior, bringing with him t-wo tin trunks, which he took to Mrs. Good’s boarding house in Palmerston Ro id. He left them on the verandah before he went to Wliatatutu, and on his return to Gisborne, about fivo weeks later, he found the two boxes still on the verandah. On the following Sunday ho went to one of the boxes and found everything all right. On leaving he strapped up the box, and again left them there. The box (produced in Court) was one of his two, and the one from which he had taken clothing on the Sunday. Witness also identified some of the clothing produced as his property. Some days later he went to Mrs. Good’s to take the box out to the camp at Wliatatutu, and found only one box, and the box (produced) was missing. He did not know the accused, and he valued the hoxi and contents at £5 or £6. He authorised no person to remove the box from Mrs. Good’s house.

Annie Good, boarding-liousc keeper, in Palmerston Hoad, said that she remembered the two boxes being brought to her house about the end of June, where they remained for about six weeks. Air. Burnett came to the house about five weeks later to see Dr. AVi Repa, and asked witness if he could go to the boxes. On the following Tuesday Air. .Burnett came again, and in the meantime witness had missed one of the boxes. The box produced was similar to the one missing from the verandah. Sergeant Hutton gave evidence as to having received a complaint from Air. Burnett on July 28th, as to the loss of a tin trunk and contents of the value of £5 or £6. On the ISth in6t. accused was arrested and charged with another offence, hut prior to his being charged, witness, in company with Constable Pratt, searched accused room at Airs. Higgins’, Palmerston Road. There, he found the trunk produced, which he at once identified as the one having been reported missing by Mr. Burnett. The clothing (produced) was hanging round the room, and looked as if it had been worn and . soiled. At the police cells lie interviewed the accused regarding the finding of the box in his room. Accused said the box belonged to Air. Burnett, who was his friend, but that he had gone away, and ho (accused) did not know where he could he found. Subsequently accused said that the box had boon brought to his room by a mail named Cameron, and left there. Witness, pointed out that the clothing had been soiled and worn, and accused said lie would plead guiltv to receiving, but not to theft. Oil the following day witness again interviewed accused, and found that lie was wearing a shirt marked “AV. Burnett, junior.” This closed the case for the prosecution.

Accused, when asked if he had anything to say. made the following statement from the dock: “There was a man. named Burnett. I met him at the shooting gallery one day and lie asked me where 1 was staying. I replied, ‘At Airs. Higgins’.’ " He then asked me if he could get a room there, and I told him there was another bed in my room. I met him again the next night, and he asked mo to take him to Aire. Higgins’. I did this, and showed him my room, when he said he was satisfied. I then took him to Aire. Higgins’ room and he told her that lie was working at the gasworks, and wanted the spare bed in my room. The same evening, a min named Cameron brought a tin box to niv room, belonging to Burnett. I waited for Burnett to turn up that night, but lie did not come, and I saw him the next morning at the house about 8 o’clock. He wont to the trunk in my room and took some clothes out, and when he had finished he shut the boy: and started.- to rub off the name that was on it. I asked him what he was rubbing the name off for, and lie said that he did not want that name on the box. He then went out and did not return the following night, hut the next day I met him on tile wharf and I asked him if he was coming to the room that night. He said that he would not be there for three or Four days. I did not see him for a few days after this, and a hoy told he that he had gone to Auckland by either the Flora or the XVaikare. I wore some of the shirts that were in the box beemse Burnett had one of mine.”

Accused pleaded “not guiltv.” and was committed for trial to the Supreme Court to be held in Gisborne next month.