A STRANGE CASK.

Dunstan Times, Issue 769, 12 January 1877, Page 3

A STRANGE CASK.

Edwin Wild was charged on remand with having, on or about the 23th June, 1371, stolon a silver watch, six rings, twenty nuggets of gold, and a bill of exchange, tho property of James Connaw, farmer, Clyde. Mr Mouat appearel to prosecute, and narrated the facts of the case. The circumstances, he said, were of a peculiar naGfturc. lu 1574 prosecutor was a farmer at Clyde, and his wife died suddenly on the -Jth of June that year. In the house at that time was a box containing jewellery, consisting of rings, a watch chain, nuggets, and also a bill ofexchaugs, which ho could never discover after his wife’s death, and asked accused, who was employed by him at that time as a “generally useful,” to assfst in the search. A few days ago prosecutor obtained such information as justified him in obtaining a search warrant, and upon search recovered a quantity of the stolen property on prisoner’s person.—Prosecutor stated in evidence what had been said by Mr Mouat, adding that he always respected accuse;!, and ollerod him or anybody else a reward of L 33 if they would restore to him the nuggets. He recognised the nuggets, watch and chain pro Inced as his property, and the hill of exchange boro his wife’s signature. On Thursday last Witness obtained certain information, but the detectives told him they were powerless in the matter. He however laid an information, and obtained a search-warrant, which "■as executed by Detective Bain, who recovered the property produced Prisoner : Did I ever find you in money to keep the pla'e over yorir head ’-Witness : You did once, which I paid you for with interest of 33 per cent., and have receipts for the same. Detective Bain deposed that by virtue of the search warrant produced ho proceeded to Woodharigh Paper-mill, where accused ■was working, accompanied by tlio last witDea s. H c . met prisoner, who had nothing but his trousers and shirt on. Witness intimated the nature of his visit, ami told Pnaoncr to put on his coat and Vest. He so, ami witness took flora the waistcoat pocket tho watch and chain produced, and from the coat pockets a hag containing ton gold nuggets, a gold chain, throe gold rings, tuogohl brooches, one nugget brdast-pin, t"o pairs of gold l sleeve links, two silver sO'mcil cases, a cheque on tho Bank of New

Hiuth Wales, Dunstnn, for LIOO, an I.d.U. for LUO, and a receipt. The handkerchief, bearing the initials “ C.0.,” witness found in a box at the house of prisoner, and it was identified by prosecutor ns having belonged to''his deceased wife.-Catherine Brien, residing at Opoho, said she lived at Clyde in 1874, and knew prisoner, who showed her some of the nuggets, and papers like those produced. He once admitted that the nuggets belonged to Connew, and said ho would make Connew drunk with his own money,—Prisoner having been Cautioned in the usual'formal manner made a statement, and was fully committed for trial,—Guardian.