DISTRICT COURT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 19 February 1901, Page 2

DISTRICT COURT.

This Day—Tuesday.

(Before His Honor Judge Ward)

(Continued from fourth page.)

Mr Hannan stated that a man named Kloncn had told a different story to Messrs Broad and Colo, coming over in the coach from Christehurch. He asked that the witness bo recalled. KleneD, recalled, stated that ho told Messrs Broad and Cole that ho had received £5 to come over and give evidence for the defence of the Lawsons. Mr Hannan said that he had taken tho statement from Mr Broad not five minutes ago, and that he would possibly call these gentlemen to give evidence, that might lead to a different story altogether. "Witness—l will not say if I told them that or not. His Honor severely censured tho witness.

Margaret Lawson—wife of W. Lawson. We were living at the Blackwater until twelve months ago. My husband was engaged in tho timber trade, but worked on wet days at a claim. I know ho got gold. He gave it to me. My brother was required to find bail, in order to keep him out of jail as he had been committed for

trial "When we were procuring bail, I gave the gold to my husband at Greymouth and he sold it. We received a telegram on Tuesday 21st, I opened it and read it. My Mster-in-Jaw was with mo at the lime. My husband was not at homo then. He went to work at six in the morning and returned at the usual hour (5.30 to <3 p.m ) I showed him the telegram and it was then burned. By Hannan—My husband had not mined for a long time before February 1900. Ho gave mo all the gold that ho got from the mine. Tho total quantity was a small bottlo full. Its value was a little over £&, He did not put it in the bottlo, I did. I had it in my possession till he went to Christehurch. Ho took it in case he ran short of money, but had enough and so brought it home again. 11 either came to Greymouth on tho Tuesday or Wednesday and stayed until W. Lawson came back from Christehurch. I had other means at tho time. Florence Mordant, residing at Kumara said—ln September last I was living at Blackwater. Ono day I went to Kuma a to buy goods. I am certain it was the 18th. On my way in from the Blackwater, I met both tho Lawsons going out to work. It was about 9 o'clock in the morning. I did not see them that evening.

By llannan—l walked in from the Blackwater. It was generally ori Saturday that we went in to Kumara. Ido not remember if wo went in the previous Saturday. Two or three times I went in 'to Kumira during the week. We only lived there for three months. On the Saturday in question I ordered some stores whieh did not come out as usual on Monday morning, so I walked'in on Tuesday*. Re-examined— l got the receipt on the day that I purchased the goods. Thomas Marks was called for identification, as the man who it was said, purchased the gold at the Union Bank on the 18th.

Mr Guinness said : ho did not intend asking him any questions. Ho was only called to show the similarity in likeness. Mr Hannan was proceeding to crossexamine the witness when Mr Guinness objected.

His Honor over-ruled tho object.

T. Marks under cross-examination by Mr Jiannan—l never sold to orpvrchased iny gold from the Union Bank in the month of September, 1900. I was served with a subpoena, and I asked what thev wanted me for. G. Lawson said that two men were coming from Greymouth to swear that I sold the gold there; I said *w7v, u'a SWear , avva y- " Ho said hat they had everything fixed up but the 18th, and said they (the Lawsons) were going to see it through. Money was no object, Lawson never offered me monny and I have not conversed with him since. I recollect being>ubpcened for the Kumara Court. I received the notice from B Lawson. Saw Mr Guinness and Mr Murdoch (counsel for defence). I asked Murdoch what he wanted me for, He said "To throw some light on case." I said: "Throw what light ?" ho re* plied, " You arc in tho habit of selling* gold for your party, " I said ,• " No. " Both counsels were there. They asked me to wait a few minutes. They brought Lawson in, and then Murdoch said I need not go. Never spoke so them since.

By Mr Guinness-I was not in Greymouth till after 19th. Iremember the date well enough. I will swear I was not in Groymouth on the 18th. I did not tell you and Murdoch that I went overland to Chnstchurch. I swear that I did not tell you that I hadn't been in Greymouth for a month previous. I did not tell you that I was in Pctone on the 18th. I never told anyone about the bank.

Paul Mordaunt, bushman~l was paid by Lawson on Saturday, 22nd. I was working iu the Blackball district. On Monday both the Lawsons were there as also on Tuesday. W. Lawson did not work. I was engaged by the Lawson Bros, to do prospecting on Foley's Extended. We put down four shafts. Ihe dishes only yielded a few fine specks of gold. I recollect the staff being put through the boxes. 1 could not say how much gold we got. Never saw it salted. -Never put it in myself.

By Mr Hannan—l have been working for them from the latter part of August. Do not know how many kept the time. I was supposed to. I handed in the time book on pay day. Judge never got the date he began from me. Robert Judge started on Friday, 14th, to Saturday, 22nd. Don't know how many wet days there were during the period. Do not think that B. Lawson was there on Thursday. On Tuesday, 18th, I sent my wife in to Ivumara to get a dress. On two occasions she went in to Kumara other than on Saturday. Never remember any occasion on which she went in for goods. I often sent in orders by the Lawsons. It was not necessary to go in for goods. Lawsons used to take out and in orders. I was surprised with the results we got when prospecting. I also prospected under Mr Fleming. This was in May or June. Some prospects by the dish were good. We certainly sunk into tho wash. We sunk about 4 feet into it.

By Mr Guinness—l never saw any salting done.