RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 901, 6 March 1879, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

THIS DAY. (Before A. H. Maude and W. H. Roberts, t Esoji., J-P's.) W. Lascclles was charged with having J stolen three LI notes from one David r Kinnon, from Grant's Hotel. Inspector Thompson prosecuted. David Kinnon, sworn, deposed : I am a laborer. I was at Ngapara yesterday. I was at Campbell's Hotel. The prisoner asked the barman if he could change a cheque for him. We had some drinks. The accused's mate was with him. The accused paid for some of the drinks, and I paid for the others. After I went into the hotel I asked the landlord to cash a cheque for me. It was drawn for LG 14s Gd. When I left the Hotel I had LG and some odd shillings on me. We all went to the train together.. I had my money in my coat pocket. I shifted it to mv right-hand trousers' pocket. The accused was sitting next to me. I put my money into my pocket loosely. When I got to Oamaru I went with the accused to the Alliance Hotel. The accused asked me where I was going to stay. I answered, "At Grant's. He said, " I will go too." We had tea. I then went into a parlor, and counted my money, and found I had only L 3 Bs. I I then went to bed, and fell asleep. When I awoke I found the accused with my watch in his hand, trying to disengage the chain from the button-hole of my vest. I then caught him by the throat, and said, " You have robbed me." He said, " Don't make a noise," and he scratched my face trying to get away. I then called Mr. Grant. To the prisoner : I was not very drunk. You did not try to prevent me from falling off the train. There was no one that you could give the money to. To the Bench : The L 3 I accuse him of stealing is the money I had in the bedroom, not the L 3 8s I lost in the railway carriage. Matthew Grant, sworn, deposed : 1 am the proprietor of the Alliance Hotel. I recognise the accused. I was called at half-past 12 a.m. I heard a .scuffle. When I went up stairs I found the complainant and the prisoner standing oppo- ; site each other. The pursuer said he had ; been robbed. I told him to go for the police. He was gone about ten minutes. The prisoner was lying down in his bed. When the constable tried to remove himhe would not walk. He was fully dressed. i The constable and I had to carry him ' down stairs between us. He could walk L well enough, I believe. I left the door of I the room for about two minptes, but itwas well guarded by a number of men. I , feel sure that they would not take the t money. ' . Cross-examined: I do not think you , gave the men the money. i James Kelly :lam a laborer. I know the accused. Imvorked with him at harr vesting for the last three weeks. I saw E the prosecutor at Ngapara yesterday.

We were all." three at Campbell's Hotel. We had t a drink together. We all paid for the drinks. They afterwards'-played "Yankee grab" for a shilling, f'told the prisoner to stop playing, because the accused was not throwing fairly.' -We went down in the train together. The accused was sitting close to the prosecutor, with his head resting on his breast. I got the guard to remove him into another compartment. To the Bench : The complainant told me that he had lost some money, but he had some left; this was in the train. I told him toshifthis money to his.trousers pocket for'safety. Constable Durrant deposed that m consequence of information received he .went to the Alliance Hotel and arrested the prisoner, who was in bed asleep. He was searched at the lock-up, and it was found that he had a purse containing four Linotes, one Lo-note, two half-sovereigns, one sovereign, a cheque for L 8 Bs. 3d., and ss. 3d. in silver. He had also in his pocket two Ll-notes and Bs. in loose silver. . The Bench, after cautioning the prisoner, committed him to take his trial at the next sitting of the District Court. The prisoner reserved his defence.