MAGISTERIAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2134, 24 January 1880, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

TIMARU—THIS DAY. [Before 11. Beetham Esq. R.M.] THEFT FROM THE PERSON. William Riley and Robert Robertson were charged on remand with the above offence. Sergeant Haldane deposed that on Friday, Jan. 1(5, at about 1.30 p.m., from information received, ho arrested the two prisoners on the above charge, on the Main North Road. Robertson made no response, but Riley said, “ I know what you want; you want my |) money.” He also said, “ I have plenty of money while I am in Timam.” Then brought the accused to the stationhouse.

Edward Dee, carpenter, Timam, knew a man named McNalty, who boarded at witness’s bouse. Remembered lending McNalty the silver watch produced on the morning of Jan. 15. There was a steel chain attached to the watch at the time. McNalty came to witness about 11 o’clock p.m. and told Idm that he bad been rubbed. The value of the watch was £7 10s.

Jas. McNulty of no occupation, recollected borrowing Mr Dee’s watch on the morning’ of Jan. If w * ls f". e . o, l e produced. Witness could identity it b}’ a mark on the inside. M Uncss was about town all day on the loth. M as at Stone’s Hotel between 10 and 11 o’clock on the same night. Went there to procure some brandy to take home. Afterwards left for Mr Dee’s place, following the South Hoad, and tinning oft at William-street. When near this point observed tbc two prisoners, nobci tson and lliley. One of them spoke to witness, and they all ultimately sat down, and witness gave them a drink of brandy. Witness felt tbc accused Hiley fumbling about his pockets with his hands, and he presently plucked the watch and chain from witness’s vest

pocket and made off towards the Emigration Barracks, The other prisoner remained for some time talking to witness, then bid him good night and left too. then went home to inform Mr Dee of what- had happened. Afterwards accompanied Mr Dee to the police station. Saw prisoners the following day near the Waslulyke. Scrgt. Haldane was with witness at the time. When witness was robbed, the prisoners were seated on cither side of him. ! The accused Robertson' edidd see what the other prisoner was about. Witness had never seen either of the prisoners before the night he was robbed. Had not seen the watch, since until to-day. Witness had a pain in his side that night. Cross-examined by the accused Riley; There was no violence used at the time the watch was taken with the exception that it required a good pull to drag it out of the pocket, Mark Larde, employed at Stone’s hotel as boots, recollected being outside the hotel on the night of Jan. 10. Recollected seeing the two prisoners talking to two other men. Two of the men afterwards left, walking in the direction of the Saltwater .Creek, The two prisoners remained a short time. Shortly after the first two men went up the road, witness heard a cooey coming from their direction. One of the prisoners then said to the other, “ Come on, let us see what they want.” Witness went with tliem thinking there was a row on. When near the immigration barracks, witness stopped and said he should go home as it was getting near 11 o’clock. The prisoners said they had a good mind to go back too. Just then McNulty was coming up the road. He was complaining of a pain in his side. One of the accused sail “ what’s the matter old man? McNulty replied that he had a pain in his side, the two prisoners walked up to McNulty, and Riley placed his hand round him to hold him up, and told him to stand up straight. Witness suggested Jthat the prisoner should take McNulty home. McNulty then produced a flask of brandy and asked them all to have a drink. Witness then left, the two prisoners following him. Heard one of them say “He has got no money but he’s got a watch.” The other replied * well we’d better have that.” They then turned back, and witness returned to Stone’s. About ten minutes afterwards witness saw Riley, and walked with him up to Shepherd’s corner. As they returned he pulled out a watch and put it to witness’s ear. He then took off the chain and threw it over the hedge. William Salton, baker, Tenluka, had seen the prisoners in Tirnaru on Friday, the 16th, near Stone's Hotel, between six and seven a.m. Witness had known Riley before in Dunedin. About 10 o’clock saw prisoners again. Robertson a sked witness to take a walk down by the river, and while there he handed witness a watch. Believed it. to be the one produced. Robertson offered witness the watch as he said that he was afraid that the man with him would take it from him, and as witness was going away to Temuka he might take it up there and keep it a while. Witness replied that he would do so, and took the watch, _ which he kept in his possession until yesterday when it was taken from him by Detective Kirby. Detective Kirby recollected being near the lock-up on the 21st between 12 and 1. The two prisonerc were there. _ The accused Robertson attracted Avitness attention by coughing at the cell door. He said, “ 1 wish to speak to you —let me out of this.” Witness let him out and lie made a statement Avbicb Avas taken doAvn in Avriting by Avitness and signed by the accused. The statement Avas then read, and detailed the particulars of the robbery, most of Avbich are contained in the foregoing evidence. Tl ic accused Avero then committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court. ANOTHER CASE. The accused were then further charged with assaulting and robbing John Pearce. It appeared that the statement made to Detective Kirby, referred to in the previous case, contained a confession of the prisoners’ guilt in this case also. John Pearce, laborer. Tirnaru, stated that he came down from Albury,ou Jan. 12, with about £9 in cash on his person. He met the prisoner Robertson on the following evening at Stone’s Hotel. Some drinks were shouted by witness. He went down the road afterwards, and Robertson and another man went with him. Between Shepherd’s corner and Stone’s, the men threw witness down and took his pocket-book away, containing about £o in notes. After some further evidence, the accused ivere committed for trial on this charge also.

A THIRD CHARGE AGAINST RILEY. ■ William Riley, concerned in the two previous cases, was then charged with the theft of £0 from George Smith. George Smith, laborer, Timaru, recollected the evening of Jan. 13. Was drinking in town on that night. Had about £ls in his possession at this time. Next day saw accused and had several drinks with him during the day. Saw accused at Stone’s hotel that night. Had his pocket book out at this time with the money in it. Did not recollect leaving the house that night. Found himself in the loek-up next morning. Mrs Stone, wife of the licensee of Stone’s hotel, recollected seeing prosecutor at the hotel on the night of Jan. 14. Smith was shouting on that day. He had out Ids money in notes and silver in accused’s presence. Did not sec accused shout. It was about 20 minutes to 11 when Smith left the bar. The accused followed him. Did not see Snath again that night. Saw accused again ,be came back in about 10 minutes He seemed as if lie had been running. He called fora drink and gave witness a £ 1-note to change. lie said that Ids mate had been “run in.” His mates, bo sai 1, bad been across to the police-station and thought it was a post office. Sergeant Haldane deposed to the arrest of Smith, and Constable Sullivan to bis being searched. He bad ludf-a-sovereign and 7s in silver on Idm. The accused, who pleaded not guilty, was committed to take Ids trial on this charge also. The Court then adjourned.