THE LATE CASE OF SELLING SPURIOUS GOLD AT CARDRONA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 419, 29 April 1870, Page 2

THE LATE CASE OF SELLING SPURIOUS GOLD AT CARDRONA.

(from our own? correspondent.) RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT, ARROWTOWN. Monday. 25tM: op April, 1870. (Before'R. Beetham. Esq., R.M ) Muk Kum was arraigned in custody charged by William G. Fox, Sergeant of Police, Queenstown, with having, on Sunday, the 10th hist., unlawfully and by false pretenses—represent'd ng sptirious gi ■' d‘o be pure gold—obtaming fr >m one Wi liam Cnlclough the sum of £l6 7s , whereby intending to cheat the said William Colclough of that sum. The services of Mr. J-dm Alloo, Chinese interpreter, were retained. William Colclougla, storekeeper and goldbuyer, of Cardroua, sworn, deposed that, upon the day in question, he was in his store. Prisoner entered between 3 and 4 oc-lock in the afternoon. Had known the prisoner over three months. Knew him to mates with Ge Kin. He said to witness ; “ ohlncee gold,” meaning that he wanted to sell gold. He produced a parcel containing four ounces seven pennyweights and twelve grains, which witness purchased, believing it lobe gold. It came to £l6 18s. Witness gave prisoner £lO 175., having no more change. Kept the gold by itself, ufa blower, after cleaning it. Immediately after prisoner left* witness tested a portion of it, an ! was not satifie I with tlie result of the trial. A’te ■ serv ng a cu on e:, he took the gold to tne window, when he ascertained that it was spurious. Marked some of the pieces taken from the parcel, which he now identified. The finer particles resembled Butcher’s Flat golf. It was not more than five minutes after prisoner had left the store that witness discovered the gold was spurious. He followed in the direction taken hy prisoner* and traced him to Ge Nui's store. A Mr. Machin was iu the store at the time. Witness said, alia ling to prisoner, “This is the man I want.” Asked him to give back the money, as the gold was had. This prisoner refused ts do, saying, “no savee.” Witness searched him, and found upon him 15s. in silver and a small bone opium box. Mr. Machin was present. Prisoner could have had time to dispose of the money before witness saw him in Ge Nui’s store. Recognised prisoner hy a boil on his cheek, and also from his general appearance The gohi produced is the paroa witness purchased from prisoner, and for which he pal 1 the full value. Handed it to the police on the following Friday. Owen Michin, miner, of Oardrona, corroborated the evidence of last witness as to his finding prisoner in Ge Nin’s store. Di 1 not see anything pass between prisoner and Ge Nin. Go Nin stated to last witness, that prisoner had been in his store for tho last three hours, this was false, as he only came iu while he witness was there, and five or seven minutes before last witness.

Ah Chiug who was sworn by the usual practice of blowing out a lighted match, deposed - that up to the 10th instant, prisoner was working with him in the same claim at Cardrona, and lived in his tent, was in Go Jlin’s store on the evening in question. Prisoner entered the store some three or four minutes before the witness, Colelough. Prisoner left his, Ah Ching’s tent after dark on tire evening of the 14th instant, he gave no reason for leaving, he only worked a day or half a day in the week, but paid eight shillings per day for h:s absence from the claim. Prisoner took no swag when he loft the tent. John Alloo, Chinese Interpreter to Pro vincial Government, sworn, deposed—That he went to the Nevis on Tuesday the 19th instant in company with Constable M‘ Gunn, au'l on the following morning at 7 o’clock, they arrested prisoner in the Chinese Camp, explained to him the nature of the charge against him, said ho anly got to the Nevis the night before, and that he left Cardrona on the 14th instant, coming by way of Cromwell—said, ho “ did a little in making gold. ” Found no money upon him, have known him for eight months. W. G. Fox, Sergeant of Police, in charge of Camp at Queenstown, sworn, deposed— That on Friday the loth instant ho proceeded to Cardrona., when he took possession from Mr. Colelough of the parcel of gold now produced, it looked like lead. Mr. Colclough’s description of prisoner was so accurate, that had he witness have met him, ho could not have been mistaken in the identity, and should have arrested him at once. The prisoner, after being cautioned in the usual manner decline 1 to say anything in Lis defence, was fully committed for I trial.