STOLEN BOWLS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2711, 15 January 1910, Page 5

STOLEN BOWLS.

A GISBORNE BOWLER’S EXPERIENCE. (Special to “Times.”) WELLINGTON, Jan. 14. The theft of Mr. Hird’s bowls haa been an interesting topic among the bowlers assembled for the tournament. To-day, at the Police Court, a man named John Maine was charged, wit;: the theft. It appears that at about S a.m. on Wednesday the thief gained admittance to the Hotel Bristol by climbing a fire-escape, and entering a bedroom. He appropriated a oair or blankets and a ed the stairs as a boarder, picked up the bag of bowls in the entrance hall, and calmly walked out of the _ frontdoor. Later in the day he visited a second-hand shop and disposed cf the proceeds of his theft. The dealer suspected theft, and only partly paid for the goods. On the return of Maine to the shop in question, he was arrested. To the detective the thief stated that he had thrown away the bag and shoes over a fence, and the police were unable to find them. Mr. Hird, on hearing this, .entered a second-hand fdiop to see if he could procure a cheap hag to fulfil his requirements, and judge of his surprise when the dealer offered to sell him his own bag. Mi. Hird informed the police of the whereabouts cf his (property, and Maine is to he charged to-morrow with the therb of the hag. On the charge of stealing the bowls, Maine was remanded till Monday next.