GREY MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 22 July 1901, Page 2

GREY MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Monday, July 22nd.

(Before R. S. Hawkins. S.M.)

ALLEGED BOEDER Y. . 'tte W J. Shanahan and E. and D. Mitchell were charged with stealing with violence 15/-, the property • of one E. Dunford. Mr Hannan appeared for the accuseds. E. Dunford said that he worked in the bush in the New Eiver district. Came to Greymouth on Friday to meet Ms, sou * who.was returning from South Africa, -Was down Mawhera Quay at night. Met three meu. Do not recognise aecuseds as the men, as it was too dark to sec. One seemed to be a tall man. Did not speak to them. They said something. Witness thought it 'was good evening. Witness asked accuseds if lie was on the right track to Parkipson’s. Went a few yards and they commenced operations. One caught him at the back . Think it was the tall one. While he was holding him the others put their hands in witness’s pockets. Couldn’t swear if it was both. Called out “Murder.” Accuseds got about Id/- or 15/- from himi When witness called out a hand was put over his mouth, but too late to stop him. Accuseds after that ran away. Heard a hoy coming and he then ran away to get help. AIL the money was in the same pocket. The occurrence only lasted a few minutes. When the young fellow came up witness did not say anything to him, nor did he to witness. Asked no one for the Police Station.

By Mr. Hannan—Heard shouting, that is how witness knew the boat was in. Had only two drinks during the day. Was not robbed anywhere on the Street facing the river.' ■ Showed the place to the constable. The men who robbed, him were travelling in the opposite direction, Stayed at Mahoneys. Returned to. Hew River in the morning. The police made inquiries. The.constab'e told him that he (witness) had been robbed. The Coni! stable said he suspected one man. Did not say where he worked. If the constable had not come out Witness would not have bothered about the matter and would have put it down to .a bit of bad luck. It was a very dark night. Was perfectly sober. They ran away as soon as he called out. Believe the young fellow was in sight when the accused ran away. Do not know where the boy went. Witness would net swear how many drinks he had. He did hbt know if it was twenty, it might have been forty. Two good beers are ad much as wi ness could stand. If he had any mote he must have been drunk, but he did not . think be was. Walked about a good deal after the occurrence to see if he could see his son. Never saw him that day. The time the robbery took place was about 9 30 p m.

By the Inspector - Sure he came out, of the Wharf Hotel in the morning. Positive that he was robbed. He oofald not remember what the Constable said to him on Saturday. 1 ■ f ; G. Lampard said that ho was by the • comer between 10 30 and 11 o’clock. No one was with him. Saw four. chaps, First saw them at the corner, * They passed him walking up Albert street. It was rather dark and witness could not swear that they were the accused, Onh_* of them did not appear to be sober, fell over near the new building. The meiT were close to each other. Might have 1 heard something. Afterwards heard a voice call out “murder.” Thought ho had his mouth clos d. Witness went over. As soon as the man callal out the chaps went away. When he got there they were out of sight. They were the samp men. When he got over to the corner Witness saw a man. Ho was pointed out to him this morning. He could not exactly recognise hini. Did not think he was so old. He was looking for his hat, which he asked witness- to find. He asked him where the Police Station was, also where Parkinson’s was. He said he had 30s in his pocket. Am rot certain whether he said he had 2s or 4s left, the other had been taken. Dunford asked witness if he knew anything about the affair. When he asked for the Police Station, witness asked “ Why ?” and he said he had been robbed. Dunford did not know the chaps. He was a bit frightened. He asked him to come up this way. Witness did not and went home. Sure he said he hn!d 30s, Did not notice anything unusual about their faces. Think one of the men had a black eye. The Constable went to witness and told him that he knew all about it. Thought it was Jack Shannon because he was a big chap. [The Court adjourned at one o’clock.]