A PECULIAR CASE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2031, 16 March 1907, Page 4

A PECULIAR CASE

ALLEGED ROBBERY OF A J.B. A cnso in which considerable interest him boon taken was hoard at Napier a lew days ago, the tallowing boing from the morning papoi s report:— Edward Pointon, for whom Mr. Crosswoll ajipoared, was charged with stealing on March 7th tho sum ol £lO, the property of George Stubbs. Inspector Macdonell conducted the prosecution. George Stubbs, accountant, Napier, doposod that ho romomborod mooting tho accused on the morning ol the 7th inst., at about lialf-past 10, on tho Marino Parado. Accused said ho would go and soo tho section that witness had for sale at Port Aliuriri, and, if it didn’t talco too much to fill in, he’d buy it, tho prico to bo £lO over what it bad cost witness. Mr. Moron, Mr. Judon, tho accused and witness drovo down in witness’ trap to tho Port to view tho section. After that had boon dono, Pointon resolved to buy. Then they drovo back to town, put tho horse and trap in Stewart’s stables, and went into the Chinaman’s shop next door to fill in the document. Tho reason ho went tlioro was because ho thought ho know the occupant, but he iound a j now man in possession, not tho one ho bad oxpoctod. They wont into the business room behind the shop, and the accused asked lor a loan of £lO in connection with the business, saying bo had authority to sign his father’jS name. Witness counted ten sovereigns out on tho table, and the accused picked them up before anything was signed and put them in his pocket. He got up to go out. Witness thought ho was joking, and told him to put tho money down again until the paper was signed. This he did not do, but went out. When witness tried to stop him, ho threw witness off. Tho accused went down as far as the Working Men’s Club, and wont through the back way into Dickens street. Witness thought it was beyond a joke, and rang up tho police. A constable came down, and while they were talking the accused came back. Tho constable called him into the room, and witness told the accused not to play tho fool, but give him the money, and ho replied ho had not got it. The constable then searched him, and witness loft tho room while ho was doing so. Witness rang up for a cab, and they all drovo to tho polico station together. Witness begged the accused to give him the money and own up that ho was only joking. Having found he money on him, tho constable decided not to lot him go. Witness had not soon tho money sinco

the accused got it. As to tho other sovereign found on him, witness lent him that at tho Spit, and received an 1.0.TJ. for it, ho remarking while they were there that he had no money. The accused said that the oleven sovereigns found on him had boon received from his customers. To Mr. Oesswell: I am a Justice

of the Peace. Am in the employ of Messrs Burgess, Ward and Parsons. Have been in Mr. Ward’s employ nearly two years on wages and commission, and have been in Burgess’ and Parsons’ employ since last July. Mr. Ward has first call over my services, and, with his permission, I work for Messrs Burgess and Parsons. Worked at Ward’s last Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday forenoon, going to Parke Island in tho

afternoon. Was not drinking to excess on Wednesday and Thursday. Mot the accused about 10.30 a.m. on Thursday on the Marine Parade. Had about £3O in gold on me at the time. Cashed my own cheque for it. Did not meet Pointon between 6 and 7 a.m. on Thursday in tho Central hotel and have a drink with him. Coiddn’t have changed money, as I didn’t see Pointon. Had business with Mr. Juden, and was not with anybody else at the Albion Hotel on that morning. Am positive I did not see Pointon. Called at tho Union Hotel and had a drink about 11; it was only a soft one. Also had a drink at tho Railway Hotel. Went from there to the Western Spit, and had a hock and soda. Called at tho Royal and had another .reaching there some time after 11. Could not remember if I had a drink in tho Albion in the morning. Went about in G. Davis’ trap, and paid 5s for hire of it. Took the trap first and paid the hire afterwards. Was not taking out my money and flashing it in tho hotels visited; only looked for what was necessary. Had a drink in the Chinaman’s shop, the only hard drink during the day. Was not under the influence of drink when the constable came along; was excited. Was not in the Criterion hotel late on Thursday very much the worse for liquor. Was not in the Empire at all on Thursday. Am satisfied to stand by the answers given by me, but I consider it a most unfair and unheard of examination. John Jacob Juden, bush contractor, was the next witness, and stated that he was in town for a few days and staying at tho Albion Hotel. Air. Stubbs picked him up outside the hotel, and ho was driving about with the party all the morning. Went down to tho Spit about a section, and after that went into a lot of places,

and had soft drinks most of the time. Came back and put the liorso in tho stables, and they all went into tho Chinaman’s. ITad heard nothing about money till in tho shop, when Mr. Stubbs counted out some, but witness could not say how much. Tho

accused took it. It was gold. Was not sure where the accused put it, owing to tho disturbance between Stubbs and Pointon, who wore pushing each other about. Witness knew no more on tho subject, as he went out. Had heard some talk about £lO. To Mr. Crcsswell: Could not recollect having a drnk with Mr. Stubbs at tho Albion Hotel in the morning. Constable Esson said that tho sergeant had received a telephone message from tho Working Men’s Club at about 10 minutes to 12 on tho 7tli instant, and witness was sent down to inquire. Mot Mr. Stubbs on arrival, who made a complaint in reference to tho matter now before the Court. Was speaking to him in the passage, when the accused and Mr. Odium came into the club by the back entrance from Dickens street. They entered the bar, and witness called the accused out into the passage and explained to him that £lO had been taken from Mr. Stubbs. He replied that ho knew nothing about it, and was never in a Chinaman’s shop that morning with Mr. Stubbs, or any other person. He also said that Mr. Stubbs was telling a lie when he said that he (Pointon) had his money. The accused said he had borrowed £1 from Stubbs and had given him an 1.0.TJ. for it. The accused said he had never agreed to sign any P.N. for the loan of £lO from Mr. Stubbs. He said he had agreed to buy a section from him and to pay him £lO. Witness took the accused into a side room, and told him ho wanted to search him, which ho did, and found 11 sovereigns on him. Witness asked where he had got them, and he replied “I got them from customers this morning.” Witness asked tho names of them, and lm replied, “Go and find out,” and asked for the money back, making a grab for it. While they were scuffling Mr Odium came into tho room and stopped the accused. The accused was under the influence of drink, but appeared to know what he was doing. After being locked up for some time, he still persisted in saying the money was his own, but never mentioned from whom he got it. The accused reserved his defence, and was committed for trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court, bail being allowed, solf in £SO and one surety for £50..