MAGISTERIAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2300, 31 July 1880, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

(Before 11. Beetham, Esq., 8.M.) ALLEGED LAUCEXV FROM THE I’EBSOX, Charles Williams was charged on remand with the larceny of a silver watch of the value of £7, the property of Jus. William Crompton. Mr Austin defended the accused. Jas. William Crompton, the prosecutor, a farmer, residing near Temuka, stated that on July 28 he had occasion to visit Timaru on business. Between 2 and 15 o’clock he met accused near King’s stables. Accused said “ Good day, old fellow, come along home with me.” Witness refused, and accused said, “ Well, conic along this way then.” They went up the street iu the direction of the Melville Hotel. Witness was wearing the watch produced in his vest pocket. When they arrived at Ileilly’s workshop, the accused said, “ Pull yourself together, old fellow ” and asked what time it was. Witness said he did not know. Accused replied “ Why, you have got a watch on you,” at the same slipping his hand into witness’s vest pocket, and taking out his watch. He then snapped (lie watch oil! the cud of the chain, replaced the latter in his pocket and loft. Witness did not miss his watch for about five minutes afterwards. Witness was the worse for drink at the time, hut still remembered clearly what took place. Deported the loss of the watch to Detective Kirby the same night. Detective Kirby stated that the last witness made a complaint to him relative to the loss of his watch on the evening of July 28. On the following morning about 9 o’clock he met accused near the Ship hotel. Ho said ‘‘ You’ve heard of the man who lost his watch ?” witness replied that a report of the kind had been made. Accused said “ I will try and find out the thief.” At this time the witness was in search of the prosecutor. Walked away in the direction of the Bank of Kew Zealand accompanied by the accused. When opposite Messrs Jonas, Hart, and Wildics auction rooms witness met the prosecutor's brother and stopped to speak to him,the accused walking on. Overtook him at the corner of George street, where they met the prosecutor. The latter immediately exclaimed “ This is the man who took my watch.” Accused said nothing, and witness asked him where the watch was. He said he knew nothing about it, but afterwards added, " Come along with me, and I’ll get tho watch for you. I know who look it, but he is a married man, and I don’t want him to get into trouble.” Tho3 r went to the accused's residence iu George street, and he handed witness the watch. The accused denied the theft, and said that if witness would let him go he would leave the town at once.

The accused, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial, bail being allowed in £IOO, and two sureties of £75 each.