THEFT OF JEWELLERY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3485, 27 March 1912, Page 2

THEFT OF JEWELLERY.

THE RAKAUROA CASE.

ACCUSED COMMITTED FOB SENTENCE.

Thomas Hall -was charged before Mr AY. A. Barton, S.M., ‘yesterday with on. March 19 at Rakauron. stealing a case of jewellery valued at £l5O tilt property of John McCarmacc. Detective ’Mitchell conducted the case oil behalf of the police and Mr Burnard appeared format-cased. John McCormack, a jeweller, residing at the Albion Hotel, said that on March 19 he wan at Rakauron, and in the evening about 0 o’clock ho visited a -billiard-room. He had a case cf jewellery with him containing in all about one hundred articles valued at £l5O. AVitness sac on a form in the billiard room near a window, and placed the case by his side on the iorm. He noticed accused in the room and later accused began pulling, at the 'blind near witness. This annoyed witness and he asked accused what was wrong with the blind, but accused made no reply. On turning round -to looK for his Lag -witness found that, it was missing. He reported his loss to Constable Hall, and about 10 30 p.m. he saw tire bag in the 'Constable’s possession.

The following day witnes.-, was shown tire balance of the jewellery by the police, but- three ring, and a silver watch wore missing. Accused was apparently quite sober, and witness did not authorise him or anyone else to remove, the case front the billiard room.

Constable HalL stated that he interviewed the accused about 7.30 p.m. on March 19 at (Halket’s store. In reply to a question the accused said he had come from home in order to purchase a packet of cigarettes. Accused said that lie had a ring, and lie showed it to witness. It was similar to the rings contained in the case. When informed about the missing jewellery witness said lie had given a man £1 for the ring in town. Accused then went over to the billiardroom and witness remained in the store. .Accused returned about a quarter of an hour later, and said he had'-overheard something in the bill-iard-room and lie could show witness where the bag was provided. He wars not responsible for anything that was taken from it. They went- about five chains up the hill at the rear of the billiard-room, and after searching for about- ten 'minuter found the case among the fern. Accused acccmpauied witness to Capon’s hoarding-house and saw McCormack, and found out what- was missing. Accused then went away. Detective Mitchell arrived next di'- and interviewed accused. He said to accused that he was of the opinion that he knew something about the missing jewellery. Act used then said lie would take him to where the remainder of the jeweller” was. De-tective-Mitchell ami witnes: accompanied' accused to a gully about mile from the billiard room, and lie brought out the jewellery m a tin. Accused was then arrested. Detective Mitchell gave corroborative evidence. Tlie accused had made -a-statement in which lie admitted taking the-case cf jewellery. Accused pleaded guilty and was committed to tlie Auckland Supreme Court for sentence. 'The case of jewellery was ordered to be returned to McCormack.