Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

13 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

EX-COUNGILLOR CHARGEDI i

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

EX-COUNGILLOR CHARGED NTERESIINCi CASE AT YSTRABSYKIAIS COURT. EVIDENCE INSUFFICIENT Considerable interest was taken in a case iown for hearing at Ystradgynlais Police Jourt on Tuesday, in which the defendant was Samuel J. Thomas, an ex-councillor, residing at Glirnos, for the alleged theft at two iron pipes, the property of Mr. Charles Siuorfitt, liquidator for the Blaen- swm Colliery Co. Mr. Henry Thompson, )t Swansea, pro-sécuted, and Mr. Jones Powdl, of iirevon, defended. Mr. TllOmpson said that the defendant was the proprietor of a foundry at Gurnos, whose land abutted that of the colliery, fioine months ago there had been a at the c-oiliery of all the machinery, as the place had been closed down and the col- dery fJr.nt had been flooded. At the sale ihe Gilvren Colliery Co. purchased the steel pipes from the pump to the top of he slant, whilst the pipes which were ander water were not offered for sale. By arrangement, however, with the Ciilwen Colliery Company, the pipes ander water were also disposed ot, but whilst the work of dismantling was being proceeded with several of the pipes were missed. The missing pipes were subsequently found near the pre- mises of the defendant. EVIDENCE FOR THE PROSECUTION. William John Davieci, a mechanic, said that about September 4 or 5, he missed some pipes from the slant, which had been under water. He told defendant, who said he had not touched the pipes, but later admitted that he had taken them and that he was prepared to take them back if the Gilwen Co. were prepared to pay for the lal>our. W. L. Morgan, YGtatvfera, secretary of the Gilwen Colliery Co., said after the sale he made an arrangement with Mr. Smorfitt for the piirchaee of the gruff which was under water in the el-ant. About September 5th, defendant called at his house and said he was will- ing to surrender the pipes which were in his possession if the Gilwen Co. had come to au arrangement regarding the pipes. Joseph Griffiths, an auctioneer's assis- taut from Swansea, gave evidence that defend.ant did not purchase any pipes at Lhe sale, neither did he make any arrange- ments with defendant in regard to pipes which were under water. Charles Smorfitt, receiver and liquidator for the Blaencwm Company, said that the plant and machinery belonging to the col- liery company were sold by auction according to his instructions. Later he discovered that some of the pipes which were under water in the slant were miss- ing. Witness was with Inspector Wil- liams when the pipes were found along- side the wall outside defendant's yard. He valued the pipes at £ 2 7s. 6d. In reply to Mr. Powell, witness said that the company had paid X90 to defendant in 1911 for damage done t.o his land by water which came over his land from the colliery. Inspector Williams said when he told defendant he was suspected of stealing the pipes, he said: There are no pipes here, but there is a oouple in the brook up there." Defendant asked witness to come to see them, and when on the way, witness observed two pipes alongside the wall out- side the yard, which were partially covered over with shale. Witness asked what they were, and defendant replied: I don't know. I didn't put them there." Subsequently defendant made a remark that the pipes might have been rolled off the tip by children who were playing about. THE DEFENCE. For the defence Mr. Jones Powell said that the Blaencwm Colliery had been the ruination of the life of Mr. Thomas, and he veiiiureu to say that there must have been some feeling against Mr. Thomas on account of his repeated requests to the company to put a stop to the water run- ning over his land from the property. There was no evidence that Mr. Thomas had taken the pipes with any felonious intent. Defendant ea.id he had kept a foundry at Gurnos for 21 years. He owned con- siderable property in the locality, and was one of the largest ratepayers in the dis- trict. For several years past lie had been obliged to close down the foundry on ac- count of water trouble from the Blaen- cwm Colliery. Mr. Griths, the actionueer, eaid he could have all the pipes he wanted. Defendant admitted that he took the pipes from the water in the slant, and his intention was to connect the yipes with the culvert in order to drain the land. Defendant added that he was up to his shoulders in water when he was pulling up the pipes in the slant. In reply to Mr. Thompson defendant Baid he raised the pipes in order to help the company, as the latter had no money to carry out the work of draining the land. He expected to get the pipes for nothing, although he know that Mr. Lucas, the auctioner, was acting for the liquidator. He could not expiain how the [pipes came to be laid outside his boun- dary wall, unless they woi* rolledihetr.e by some children. Other witnesses were called. After retirement the Chairman an- nounced that the evidence was insufficient to convict. t

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