THE FEUDING ROBBERY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 8944, 9 October 1907, Page 3

THE FEUDING ROBBERY.

On Tuesday-'- 'William J- Lowe , n d John 0. Eobinson wore brought Wore the Folding Court, on remand. charged with having, on the , n t c lit of Saturday. September 27th, rohhed Frederick Noffko, of £6. Accused were defended by Messrs (his ley and Kelly, the prosecution fo,iug conducted by Sergeant Bowlin the Court Noffke said, after leaving fj,o fish shop ho had .gone to the hotel •vain, where ho saw’ Eobinson the third rime. The latter left the hotel at the j-jiie time as he, Noffke, just before stertfor homo. Owing to the threats of (Je person who was robbing him ho was jfjtd to cry out. The thief had said, tqf yon squeak I will put your bLfcts out.” The thief wore dark clothes, fs -tt hat and a kerchief, like the one gaced. On reporting to Sergt Bowand having described tbo iuan who ..(I attacked him and the one whom he ud seen in the hotel, the Sei geant told yla to come again the next morning, for L know the person described. Anno Hobbs, a woman about 53 years i| ago, stated that she dwelt in a small cottage in Fitzroy Street. On Saturday at about bait-past 10, whili going towards her home, one of the accused, g, binson, spoke to her, saying that it was ®ttiag late and he would accompany her k-mo. As ho persisted, and said he was thirsty, when they got to her cottage she rare him some drink. She heard some Lise near her dwelling and some talking. It was as it there was some one knocking rgainst the fence; but Eobinson, to »aom she spoke about it, did not trouble D ascertain the cause. After Eobinson had been in her house about ten minutes, jaother man came to the door, who Eobinjon said was Mr Lowe. She told both of them they had better get away. She had previously been in the company of Hobinson in Hook’s hotel. 1S T . T. Hook, licensee of the JDonby gotel, Bedding, said lie cashed a cheque [or Noffke on the evening of. September JBtb, value £0 10s, and gave in exchange [hteo pound notes, three sovereigns and jko remainder in silver. Noffke was jrice in the hotel, as was Eobinson, but jj did not notice them there at the same (ime. , . ... Richard Same said he was standing oeir Mr Sutton’s shop, between hmo and ia!f-pasb nine on tho night of the 2Sth September, when he hoard the accused, lowe, say to the other accused, “ You are not going to funk it now, are you?” lowe wore a. soft, felt hat, a dark suit, and black neckerchief. Sorgt. Bowd on said on the night of the iibbery, between seven and ten, he # saw tie accused several times near Sutton’s (cruer. He saw Noffke in Hook’s hotel a little after eight, and Eobinson was also there, but not in the same compartment. He saw Noffke, followed by Eobinson, wing from tho betel. Ho saw the accused speaking together at the place referred to by Mr Burno. A little before fen he saw Noffke walkingup Manchester Street towards the Square and Lowe came into Manchoster-street from EergassonSlreet. At Carthow’s corner Lowe was walking fast and overtook Noffke just inside the Square, and after a slight stop continued together up Manchester - street. From Darragh’s corner ha saw Noffke and tho accused pass tho Bank of Australasia building jo walked towards the centre of the Spare, then returning towards Darragh’s Minor again he saw the accused Eobinon coming towards him. . Tho latter said on passing him “Sergt., I have not «ot Billy any beer to-night.” Eobinson an tinned on up Manchoster-street. He followed Eobinson some distance and then lost sight of him. It was ten minutes past ten as he (tho Sergeant) went through the Square, and it was ton minutes to eleven when Noffke accomjanied by Mrs Noble came to his house o report tho robbery. Noffke had no iat, his clothing was torn and muddy md bo was very much excited. Noffke Inherited the man who had robbed him. )n tie night of the 27th September the riiness noticed that accused was wearnga black slouch hat, dark clothes, and ia!d a black silk handkerchief around his leek. On Sunday morning he found a jacket hook {claimed by Noffke) near the ; esidenco of Mrs Hobbs, and in tho adjoining section he picked up a cap, a jenny and half-penny stamp. These were Slaimed by Noffke. Ho also picked up the iectoi chief produced, which had been irodden in the’ mud. Ho visited the iouse of the accused Lowe, on Sunday inorning and among other questions islife’d him where his black silk hankerjbief was that he wore the previous light. Lowe replied that he might have lost it.’ He admitted having been in Mrs Hobbs’ house and stated that Eobinson j was also there. Lowe also said he was' oo drunk to remember what occurred on tba previous night. The witness produced the clothing Lowe had worn, still difty, and the witness stated ,the socks were wet. Lowe was a prohibited person. He had not found the money or purse stolen on either of the aCcdscd. This concluded the case for the Crown.

} The Court was full all day, bur [crowded with a number of the curilous, looking in the windows after nightfall. [ For the defence, John William SNoblo was called, who stated the [complainant called at his shop late ion the night of the 37th _ September, jauct ashed for the police, stating Jtliat he had been robbed by a person [unknown to him and whom ho could [not describe. Also that ho had torn ■his trousers while getting over a fence. The person who robbed him sot a a skull cap. Noffko "was the worse for liquor and looted as if he had been dragged through a creek. Oliver Spaulo, carpenter, said ho was with Lowe on the_ night of September 27th from until a little after nine o’clock until a quarter to ten. Lowe was wearing a hard hat. At Sutton’s corner Lowo asked him to supply him with drink and then mads tlic remark Mr Bnrne must have heard. John Weightman said Nolfffo had a meal between six and seven at his house and tendered by a £1 note in payment. J. 0. Bobinson, one of the accused, said he went straight from the hotel to Mrs Hobbs’ house. He heard a noise near by but did uot know the cause. Lowe came shortly afterwards to Mrs Hobhs’ place and they stayed there until two o’clock. Ho had carried two bottles of beerjthero and Lowe brought one. W. J. Lowo said ho had asked Robinson to get him liquor while standing at Sutton’s corner and passed the remark referred to by previous witnesses. Later a stranger had obtained two bottles of beer for him and ho walked up Manchester street with this man, who was something like Nolfko. They parted at Grey street and ho went homo. Later he went to Mrs Hobbs’ house. He wore a hard hat during the night. The accused were committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supremo Court.