SUPREME COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 3090, 14 January 1873, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

CIVIL SITTINGS,

This Dav. (Before His Honor Mr Justice Chapman and a Special Jury.)

Pritchard v. Packman. —Plaintiffs case was closed yesterday. The following evidence was called by defendant’s counsel : Joseph Mills, express proprietor, said : Hetwo n twelve and one o’clock a.m. on a triday in June last, Pritchard and S ott callo■! on him at his house and said, “ We want you to drive Roddam to Port Chalmers this mornning.” Scott remarked that Roddam was a little bit in debt and wished to get away, and that on’y one or two of the parties he owed money to were inclined to press him. He asked where he was to get a hnggie from, and was told to go to the Club Stables, and get one there. He was also told to call at Scott s Stables in George street, at five o’clock, for Roddam. Before parting he said, posing I ovei sleep myself.” Pritchard said he would get the night-watchman to wake him. He got the buggy, proceeded to Scott’s stables, picked up Roldam at the appointed hour, and drove to the port. They tin n went to Doqson s, Port Chalmers Hotel. He cou'd not say which of Dodson’s Hotels was most f e quented. He left town that morning With Koddam before the Northern coach started, and arrived at the Port just as it was break*

ing day. He went on board the Rangitoto with Scott and Roddam. and left Roddam there. He did not see Mr D >wse at the port that day. He did not know who got Roddam’s ticket.. >cotr, paid, for the boat that took them on board. He found the steward, a"d said to him, “ This man (meaning Hoddam) is going to Melbourne, and don’t want anyone to .-ee him.’’ Ho saw Scott ftf-on-wards at the port. Ho saw the ship Kleanor before she was towed out to sea. He made an arrangement wi'h John Scott to take Roddam to the Port, and received L 5 from Scott for the job. From the time fie left Roddam on board, he did not see him again. Andrew Kerr, shipping clerk to Dalgety, Nichols and Go., said, Hugh Mackie was master of the Rangitoto. That vessel was now on her way to New Zealand, but beyond the jurisdiction of the Court. There was no information in the office touching the taking of Roddam’s passage. He, therefore, could not say who secured it. When he loft the vessel before she sailed, lie had no information about Roddam’s presence on board. Mr Barton put in as evidence a certilicate of the death of Jo m Roddam, verdict of the jury at oronsr’s inquest touching the cause of his death, and a copy of an order of the Conrt, appointing Mr Nutter executor in the estate of deceased. [Left sitting.]