MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 August 1924, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. Gth

(Before W. Meldrtim, Esq., 5.. M.) ALLEGED BURGLARY. Basil Charles Gibbons was charged with breaking and entering the shop of Rotor Stephens by night and stealing the sum of LTH Its in money and goods of a value of L* 100. Detective Young appeared for the Police and Mr Hannan for the defendant. Peter Stephens deposed he was a draper and tobacconist of Revell St. He gave evidence of the .shop being entered and the thett of a quantity ot goods ol a value of L'lOtl and money of a value ol L'lil ID. (Witness gavesimilar evidence, already published of the burglary given in a previous ease). Knew the accused Gibbons, lie was often in the shop and would have a knowledge of the contents of the shop. The watch and chain produced was lmieh like part of the goods stolen. The second watch and chain produced belonged to witness, who had it for about 1 s years. It was stolen on I lie night of. the burglary. It lias a name i n it. lie produced a receipt for the watch. The bangle produced was his and was stnleii. The watch produced was similar to his watches. Had never sold or given any of these articles to the accused. The collars produced were stocked by witness who was tinagent for them, lb- may have sold *tniic of tin- collars lo accused. To Mr Hannan lie left Hokitika on the Tuesday night and returned oil Friday about 111.3(1 p.m. lie did not look til see il the money in the tin box was there when he went into the shop about 12. IA a.m. on the Saturday morning. The last occasion he saw the motley in the box was about 11 a.in. on the Tuesday. He could not definitely swear that, the last watch produced was one of the stolen articles. Did not remember selling collars to accused similar to those produced. David William I let-nan deposed he was a laborer of Revell Street. He ren'it-nibered the night ol tbc burglary, lie retumod home that morning between 2.1 A and 2.311 o'clock from a dance. Stooped to light a cigarette mnl as he did so someone ruslu-d by from Stephens shop to a post. Stood there awhile. While witness stood there In- walked hack to the doorway again. Witness then crossed over to his own place and with that the person came out again to the post. Witness thought there was something wrong, and he got behind a double oust near Evans’ shop. Ihe person then went into the doorway again, lie -Imid there a while and came out to the post again. Witness stood there a couple of minute- and then went inside. It was a man. lie could not - recognise him. That was the last witness saw of him.

AFTERNOON SUITING. The Court adjourned at. 1 p.m. and resumed at 2 p.m. Leonard I’cnival Duncan dc| osi-d he was a Int.-di <out factor until recently employed at Pitt Island. Prior to g > ing there lie resided at Hokitika and during the last Ninas holidays lie stayed at the .Masonic. Hotel. Know the accused Gibbons, who also stayed at me hotel. Heard about Stephens’ shop being broken into the morning after. Accused never gave witness anv article ot jewellery. He obtained from him one night something. When playing cards in the hotel after the burglary about ten days, witness won about 3As oil' Gibbous win* did not have the money on him and raid lie would give il to witness next day, and lie gave witness a watch (produced) as security, lie did not say where In- got the watch from. He was supposed to give the money next dav. but said witness could have the watch with another watch thrown in if witwere satisfied. Gave the second watch to Horace Alcaic. It was not worth having. It was a metal watch. The watch (produced) witness gave to Mrs Herbert. Was at tin- pictures on the night of the burglary and then alter supper wont to the .Masonic Hotel. Stayed then- sitting at the lire till about 12 o’clock. Then went round lo Mandl’s brewery with .1. .Morgan jr. Stayed there till 3.1 A a.ie. and then went hack to the hotel, and to bed. To Mr I human—The second watch looked to have been worn. Gibbons sai.l be would square up lor tile cards the next dav and about II next day In- said In- could not get Ibe money and asked it witness was satisfied with the wali-li and threw in the other one also. This occurred in the street nutside the Masonic I Intel. This was about 10 days alter the robbery. He had never been questioned by the police abwut Stephens robbery till today. Witness lett Hokitika on Kith February. When witness lelt lie went In Lake Coleridge with a mate, walking over by Browning’s l*ass, as il was cheaper that way. Did not work there. Went to Colligate. Remained about a week and theme to Christchurch. Stayed there about It) days, and then went to Chathams. Heard in Christchurch about enquiries being Hindi- into Stephens robbery but no enquiries were made by the police to witness. First heard Ironi the police on the island. A policeman came over and asked witness lor a statement about 3 or I months ago. Witness gave a .statement and detailed Ills movements on the night ol tin- robbery. Witness was cross-examined at some length as to his movements on various days before and alter the robebry. lie said lie could give the particulars nf bis movements on the Friday night because be bad hear.l of the robbery the next morning. He had made it 11is business to remember his movements oil that particular night. He could give no reason why lie should remember. After lie got the watch from Gibbons lie gave it to Mrs Herbert. When the constable came to nim at Chatham Island lie asked witness if lie knew Peter Stephens. Gibbons mid Nash, and witness said lie nil. Did he know Mrs Herbert and he said yes. He then gave the constable a statement such as lie I- -d given to counsel.

(T.eft Sitting)