POLICE OFFICE.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 38, 25 April 1844, Page 2

POLICE OFFICE.

ROBBERY IN SHORTLAND CRESCENT, On Thursday last, two boys ’well known as lesperate thieves were brought before the Chief ’olice Magistrate, charged with stealing a Watch he property of George Partington, Watch-maker, >f Shortland Crescent, when the following evidence was elicited. George Partington being sworn stated, I reside in Auckland, and am a Watchmaker, I recollect ibe evening of tbe 19th of March last, I left my louse about seven or eight 0 clock, aod locked the loor; and, on my returning in a short time I bund it unlocked. I looked about the room, and ound all my boxes broken open, and beds turn* ;d, and I missed a set of f gold shift buttons, 2 »erman silver guard chains, and a silver watch. [ should know the watch on seeing it again. 1 lave never seen any of the articles since they were [missing, except the watch, which was biought to 'me the other day by the Chief Constable ; I immediately recognised the watch, it belongs to me, 1 had it to repair for John Shearer, about 5 weeks since, the number of the watch is 7754, and no makers name. The watch now produced is the same; 1 have frequently seen the two prisoners lurking about tbe Crescent of an evening, especially on the evening of the l9ih March; I know them well, as they have been pointed out to me by my neighbours, as being suspicious characters, or thieves, and cautioned me against them. lam in fesie habit of locking my watches, &C. up, and putting them in a place of security ; on the evening mentioned, 1 had removed every thing except the iaid articles, which 1 bad overlooked ; I value the match at two pounds. John Shearer on being sworn, said, I am a nariner, and trade to and from Auckland, I gave he watch to Mr. Partington to repair about four >r five weeks ago, 1 did not see tbe watch again mtil it was shewn to me by the (Jhief Loustable, I inmediately recognised it, the number of it is 7754. ind has no makers name; the watch now produced s the same, the second hand was not broken when 1 gave tbe watch to be repaired ; 1 bought the watch of Mr. Stratton, master of the Calumhine r Schooner, I do not know the value of it, bull know what J gave for it, I gave five pounds, [ Constable Davey on being sworn, deposed, Oil lire sth of April be received instructions from the Chief Constable to look out for the prisoners at the I xr ; lie accoidingly went in seaich and discovered Kardy, who he understood was the parly tbat had | chased the watch, he asked him to let bun see/ ft ; after some delay the watch was produoed, fvhich had been found behind the Fowl house ; the f>by Hardy was present at the time, the constable