THE ORMOND CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1767, 7 June 1906, Page 4

THE ORMOND CASE.

ALLEGED HOUSEBREAKING.

At tho Magistrate's Court yesterday moiuiog, btforo Mr Barton. S.M, the obaigo of boußobrenking at Ormond preferred against A'oxandor James O’Rourke was prooocded with. Defendant stated that on the 14th of May bo was in town, and went back by the 4 o'clcck train to tho Ormond Holt), whore ho was staying. Ho had spoken to Mrs F. Parsons three or four timos, but had never been to her bouse, although onoe invitod. He did not leave the hotel on tho evening of the 14th. He had tea there, and was about tho hotel playing bagatello until tin minutos to ten, when ho went to his room, which ho shared with P. Keaney, He went up to the room with others, who were e.i.l in the room aft.r 11, when witness wont to Bleep. Ho did not eee Donovan or Korr leave the room The latter was sleeping opposite, and the former in the room next to witness. Ho get up between six ani seven on tbo following morning, and went baok to the camp that day. Lie first heard about tho proco.dings ou ih; following Monday, and ostne down to O.mond iho next day. Vio'ot Spiller gave ovidenoe as to th 6 way Mrs Parsons had dosoribed the man’B dross. She eaid nothing to witoess about a sweater.

P itriok Ksaney stated that he slept in the same room as accused, a’-d corroborated accused’s statements as to what transpired in the room. He did net see or htar accused h ave tbo -oom all nigbt . Thomas Ksrr and Thomas Dorovan gave sim lar evidence Mr Stock said His Wo ship could not send accused for trial upon tbo evidence — tbo bare uotuppo ted story of a woman who hoi only scon accused three timis There Was no reason to suppose that tbo accused had shammed sleep, Rot up in tho middle of ths night, and gone out on to tho public road to visit tho house of a woman he had ouly spoken to thier time*. His Worship said the principal witness for the prosecution was Mis Parsons, who seirned positive, and was very cJtar of what took place in givirg bar evidence. Ho saw no reason to doubt her story. Notwilhelaodiog tho evidence for the accused.'he was satisfied it was possible for accused to have entered the houso as stated. He thought it was a proper oeso to go to a jury. . Aeoused was committed for trial at the next aittiog of tho Supreme Court to be held in Gisborne. Bail was allowed in one sum of jGLOO, and a surety of a like amount.