MAGISTERIAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2494, 18 March 1881, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

TIMAEU —THIS DAY. (Before R. Beetham Esq., R.M.) DISINTERESTED CONDUCT MISUNDERSTOOD. George Robson, a young man about six-and-twenty years of age, a butcher’s assistant by trade, was charged with the larceny of a watch and chain, of about (he value of 50s, the property of James Meiller.

The accused pleaded not guilty, and was undefended.

James Meiller, labourer, at present residing in Timaru, recognised the watch produced as his property. Purchased it at Fruhauf’s, pawnbroker, and had it in hiS possession up to mid-day on Tuesday last. Met the accused on the morning of that day, and they visited the Club Hotel together, and stayed there for about an hour, having a couple of drinks. Witness subsequently went to the Ship Hotel, and about mid-day missed the watch, which he had been wearing in his vest pocket. Next saw the watch in Detective Kirby’s possession yesterday. Was not a mate of the accused’s, but had seen him frequently before. Had had no money transactions with him, and he had no claim on the watch.

By Accused—Have no recollection of seeing you take the watch awaj'.

M. Fruhauf, pawnbroker, recognised the watch as one he sold to the prosesecuter some time ago. Sold the chain to him on Saturday last. About 2 p.m., last Saturday the prosecutor came to witnesses’ shop and reported having missed his watch. The same evening the accused came to the shop aud said he had a ten guinea watch which he was anxious to get a few pounds loaned on. He was partly drunk at the time. Witness enquired whether the watch in question was his own, as he could not receive it if it was not. The accused then brought out the watch produced and witness told him that it was the one that had been missed at the Club Hotel.

The accused made no reply at first, but afterwards said “ Well if I had not taken it somebody else would.” Witness thereupon detained the watch. Detective Austin Kirby, deposed to arresting the accused on this charge at 8 p.m. on Wednesday night. The accused said that if he had not taken the watch some one else would have done so, and that he had taken it to Fruhauf’s to put it in safe keeping. The accused was under the influence of drink at the time. He told witness that the Club Hotel barman was present when he took the watch from Meiller.

William Cohu, barman at the Club Hotel, recollected seeing the prosecutor and the accused together at the hotel on Monday March 15. Did not see the accused take the watch, nor did he tell witness at anytime that he had done so. By accused—During the evening you asked me if Meiller had been in and I said “ no.” Nothing was said about the watch.

The accused, who seemed anxious to speak, being cautioned by his Worship, made the following statement: —I am not guilty. I went to the hotel with Miller and had two or three glasses of spirits and I then came out and left him. When I returned to the hotel he was lying in the bar asleep. There were five or six other men there at the time. I said, “ That man is lying in a very curious place; he will lose his watch; I will take it from him and give it to him again.” I then took the watch and the barman saw me take it. I went away and did not see the prosecutor any more that daj r . I went out of town that n’gbt with a gentleman seven miles in a trap, I afterwards saw the barman of the Club and asked if he had seen Meiller, He said, “ No.” I said, “ I have got his watch.” I then took the watch to the pawnbroker’s, as being the likeliest place for its safe keeping. That is the reason I took the watch to the pawnbroker’s. That is all I have got to say. The accused was then committed for trial, His Worship intimating that he would be prepared to accept bail, accused in £IOO and two sureties of £SO each. The Court then adjourned.