AN IMPUDENT THIEF.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2242, 25 May 1880, Page 2

AN IMPUDENT THIEF.

At the Port Chalmers Police Court on Saturday Henry Kybrcad, a ship’s steward, was charged upon the information of Joseph Mandlcstan with stealing a gold locket and chain, and two diamond rings, valued at £69 10s, on the 21st inst. It appeared that the prosecutor, a cordial manufacturer from Wellington, was on his way to Europe, accompanied by Ids wife, and they were passengers by the Te Anau. The prisoner was observed at a late hour on Thursday night going from bunk to bunk and lowering the lights. Mandlestan said be wished to read, but the prisoner replied that it was time to go to bed. Julia Mandlestan, wife of the prosecutor, deposed ; I retired to my

cabin, between 9 and : 10 on Thursday night last. Between 1 and 2on Friday morning I was disturbed by hearing a woman say, “ What are yon doing here ?” Some man replied, “It is all right—l am the watchman.” A lady passenger said, “Yon are no watchman”; and then called out, “Ladies, [,,i look put for your purses and watches I" I immediately jumped up and felt for my purse, whieh was in my dres hanging on a hook close to the head of my bunk. The purse (containing two diamond rings), the keys, and the locket and chain were gone. I saw the locket and chain and the purse which contained the rings previous to my going to bed. The V > locket and chain and the two diamond rings now produced I identify as my property. I did not authorise anyone • to remove them. From the time I bade my husband good-night, between 9 and 10 on Thursday, until I missed my property I had not been out of my ' cabin. Alfred Feast deposed—l am - a ■ mariner and reside at Port Chalmers. . I know the., prisoner, who has been : staying with mo for the last fortnight. He was away from my house from 3 p.m. on Thursday until very early on Friday morning, when ho returned. ■ I got up out of bed and went into the sitting-room, where I saw him. He was laughing and rubbing his hands over kis face. I saw the two rings now produced on his finger. I psked him where lie got thcm, and he said ho had had them give to him, hut that was not all ~ he had. He then pulled out of his pocket the bracelet and chain now. produced. Her said a Jewess had given them to him. I said she must have been drunk. He said he was ou board the Te Anau, and that the Jewess was with him for a walk along the prisoners’ road. The things were left in the front room all night, and on the following day I handed them over to tho police. I think tho prisoner had been drinking, hut he appeared sensible. Tho prisoner who told a most unlikely story about •going on board to sec a friend was com- . mitted for trial.