GREY MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 11 January 1901, Page 2

GREY MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Friday, January 11th.

(Before 11. J. Hawkins, Esq. J.M.) George Oughton was charged with the thieffc of a gold watch and chain, cigar holder, and articles of value belonging to H. Euenart. Henry Euenart, —I am a commercial traveller residing in Dunedin. I was in Greymouth on December 9th last, and on that night wont on board the s.s. Mawhora to go north, about midnight, but did not go to bed until about one in the morning I slept in ono of the cabins in tho alley! way. I had a silver stop chronometer watch, which I value about £0 15s, also a

gold albert chain wish pendant, which I val ue at £lO or £ll. The chain produced exhibit “A” is nine, Tiio pendant, n miqature kaifo in the shape of a cigf. cutter with gold plate On ouch side, is n< i now attach id to the chain. I had also a signet ring, which I valud at £2 10s. The one noW. produced, exhibit “B”, is it. I had a silver ndounted cigar holder Valued at ss. All these articles were in

ndy vest under ray coat in the cabin. I taissed the articles when starling to dross myself, as the boat was going into Westport about 8.30 am. No ono had authority to remove the arlicles or any right to do so. I reported my loss to the Police at Westport after the steward had searched my cabin for the missing articles. John Wallace Spinshorn—l know the accused—through a transaction —about three weeks- On the 20th of December accused asked me if I could lend him a few pounds. He said £4 would do, and he would give ample security. I replied that I had not the money, but could got it for him. ' Later on Messrs Gord and himself went to the Club Hotel and found accused there. Accused showed them some watches and other articles. He said he had more security than was necessary. Ho gave Gord the chain and rings as security for his money. I would not take any security. Could not say what sort the watch was. I recognise the chain in court as the same. He did not say that the chain was his own. Ho said he had a watch. Ho looked towards the direction of a bag, could not say if ho took the articles out of the bag. I think he Said that it was a “stop” watch. Ho had

a guard with him. Ho made no secrecy of tho matter. He gave mo a written statement, promising to pay back on January 14th. Ho said not to let anyone know outside us three as ho did not want to let other people know his business. I am not aware that ho engaged himself to any girls to get money.

William Gortl, —Accused is a perfect stranger to me. Mr Spinshorn introduced him to me. The order was in Spinshorn’s name. I put the articles in my pocket and took them home. Afterwards I handed them over to Constable Portcous. Rachel Morris—l know the accused, he told me he had some jewellry. I saw them once. He said he did not wear it as he did not like it. Accused told mo that also had a stop watch.

Sergeant Shirley—Accused was arrested on the charge of theft. He said he bought the chain from a man in Tidd’s Hotel for JE3 10s. Could not tell who the man was. Constable Jones —I remember seeing Mr Morgan, I then did not know the name of accused. Morgan said it was Oughton. I did not suspect him as the man who committed the offence until I interviewed the steward of the Mawhera. I was shown him one Sunday when he (Oughton) came to see Lewis. The Court here adjourned till 2 o'clock.