Compiled by Cameron McCullough
AT the Mornington Court of Petty Session on Friday last, George Walter Griffith, aged 22 years, appeared on nine charges of housebreaking.
The Bench comprised Dr. J. E. Somers and Messrs. J. G. Barrett, Geo. Flood and P. McArthur, J.’sP.
The court was crowded with people anxious to obtain a view of the alleged housebreaker, also to hear the evidence.
Griffith was escorted to the court at about 11.10am. Detective Lambell conducted the case for the Crown.
The first witness called was Mr. Harper-Brown, of Murrumbeena.
He stated that he owned a week-end house in Beach Grove, Mornington.
On Sunday, August 8, he left the house securely locked up.
In response to a telephone call he visited his seaside residence and found the glass panel of the front door broken and the house ransacked.
He then discovered that a linen bag containing about 25 sovereigns and jewellery valued in all at £100, had been stolen from the house.
A loaded gun, which had been taken from the cupboard, was found at the foot of the stairs.
A bed had been slept upon. Later he identified articles of jewellery (which were found in Griffith’s possession) as the property stolen.
When invited to ask the witness any questions, Griffith stated that there were only 17 sovereigns in the bag.
Mr. M. Bates, of Balwyn, was the next witness. He said he left his mother’s house on the Esplanade, Mornington, on the 21st August, and all doors and windows were securely locked.
Mrs. A. E. Bates stated that she visited her house at Mornington on 25th August and found the interior of same in a state of disorder. No thing of any value was missing.
Mrs. Newbegin, of South Yarra, stated that she left her week-end house at Mornington securely locked on July 28, and on August 27 she found that the place had been broken into, but nothing was stolen.
Mr. W. C. Corran stated that he was a caretaker and gardener at Mr. Wasley’s house on the Esplanade, Mornington. On August 23 he left the house at 11am, returned at about 12.45, and on entering the back door found all the inside doors open.
He proceeded upstairs and noticed a pair of field glasses on a bed ready for removal. On returning to the kitchen he found the back door locked and the key flung several yards away.
Mrs. D. M. Keast stated that she left her house at Mornington securely locked up in July.
Her daughter, Miss B. Keast, explained that she visited the place on August 31 and found that it had been ransacked.
The next witness was Mr. T. P. Flood, who said he was caretaker of Mr. Hurlestone’s week-end house at Mornington.
On August 25 the house was locked, but on the following day he found it in a state of disorder.
Mr. Geo. Nicholson stated that he found his week-end residence at Mornington broken into on August 28, and a ladies’ bicycle, tennis racquet and tools valued at £10 were missing.
Mr. T. P. Flood said he was caretaker of Mr. B. Hutchinson’s house at Mornington, and on 26th August found the place ransacked. A hammer was missing, but was found later.
An electric iron was stolen.
Mr. Hugh Cannon said his brother-in-law owned a house at Mornington, which was found in a state of disorder on 28th August.
Detective Lambell stated that after a long search he saw accused on 3rd September outside Flinders Street Station.
Accused had just purchased a ticket to Yarram. On being questioned accused said his name was Bates, and he resided at Yarram.
Later he admitted his name was Walter Griffith.
At the detective office he searched Griffith and found in his possession articles of jewellery, which were identified as the property of Mr. Harper Brown.
Detective Lambell said he was then joined by Constable Mason, of Mornington, and Griffith admitted having broken into all the places above-mentioned and made a statement which explained how he left Melbourne on August 8 and stole property from Brown’s house.
He returned to Melbourne, and cashed the sovereigns and pawned the jewellery.
Later he again visited Mornington and entered Mrs. Bates’ house and stole a writing pad and a book.
Next he slept and ate food at Newbegin’s house; also wrote a letter.
On 23rd August he entered Wasley’s house and heard someone in the house.
He locked the back door and then went to Melbourne.
He came back to Mornington on 24th August and searched Mr. W. S. Keast’s house for money and valuables.
He entered Hurlestone’s place the same evening, and then walked along Point Nepean Road to Mordialloc and caught the train to Melbourne.
On 26th August he entered Hutchinson’s house, where he stole an electric iron; then broke into Kettle’s house and later Nicholson’s where he stole the articles described and left the electric iron.
He slept at Kettle’s house and later rode to Seaford station, where he abandoned the bicycle and pawned the racquet and tools.
Constable Mason gave corroborative evidence.
As each charge was read out Griffith answered: “Guilty, your Honor.”
Griffith was remanded for sentence at the General Sessions on October 1.
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A talented young pianiste
At the University of Melbourne music exams, held last week, Miss Eunice Barclay, of Frankston, has again distinguished herself as an exceptional talented young pianiste in passing Grade III pianoforte.
Her work, dating from last December, being: Junior division (Trinity College), Grade V. (University Conservatorium of Music), advanced inter mediate (London College of Music), of which she obtained 91 per cent, and Grade III. (University Conservatorium of Music) .
This is regarded as exceptional for a child who is only nine years of age.
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PERSONAL
Mrs. F. Bartlett, who has not been in good health of late, is at present on a visit to Daylesford.
Friends of Master Ivan Bell will be pleased to learn that he has been promoted to Senior Cadet in charge of the cadets of Australian Commonwealth liner, “Ferndale.” Well done, Ivan!
Misses Cam Fletcher and Freda Johnson are on holidays at friends at Wodonga.
Cr. W. Hutchinson, the Shire president, made his “first appearance” in public at the Frankston High school celebrations on Friday last.
He was called on to make two speeches during the afternoon and acquitted himself like a veteran.
If he suffered from stage fright he did not show it, and his numerous friends congratulated him warmly on the success of his efforts.
It seems only the other day that our youthful looking Shire president was to be seen leading the fortunes of the Somerville football team, and later as a returned soldier, with a highly creditable record for service abroad.
Cr. Hutchinson’s grandfather, according to Mr. Downward, was one of the pioneers of the Mornington district.
Mr. R. C. Chapman, first head master of the Frankston High school, was present at the laying of the foundation stone of the new building on Friday last. Mr. Chapman is now located at Shepparton.
Mrs. Male, a well-known resident of Frankston, will celebrate her 82nd birthday on Tuesday next.
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From the Pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 17 September 1926
