MAGISTERIAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2629, 24 August 1881, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

TIMARU—THIS DAY. (Before R. Beetham, Esq,, R.M.) TUE SHIP HOTEL ROBBERY. Fred. Win, Dunn and Edwin Edwards were each charged on remand with the robbery of about £4O, the monies of MiDan McGuinncss, of the £hip Hotel.

Mr C. Perry app ;ai\;l for Edwards, and Mr Tosswill for Dunn.

Peter O’Neeghan depose! that ho was manager for Mr MeGuinness, and the accused had also been - in his employment, Dunn as waiter and assistant barman, and Edwards steward of the South Canterbury Club, adjoining tli£ Hotel. They had been employed by Mr MeGuinness for about four months. Dunn had little or no money when In; came, and borrowed a small sum soon after his engagement. Witness ha 1 charge of the cash and placed it in the safe every night before going to bed. On the Sunday night in question witness assisted by Dixon, the book keeper made up the cash in band, some £215, and placed it in the safe. It included gold, silver and notes. All the notes, 39 in number were £1 ones with one exception, On counting over the notes particularly noticed that one was marked on the back “39.” On going to the safe on the Monday morning found all the notes wore missing and £2 silver as well, making £4l in all. The packets of shillings pro I need he could identify as the ones he put up on Sunday. Slept in a room at the back of the kitchen and Dunn occupied the same room. Edwards slept upstairs : went to bed about 5 minutes.past 11 on Sunday nigbt and found Dunn in bod. Witness placed bis trousers at the foot of the bod and the key of the safe was in one of the pockets. Between 5 and G o’clock on the following morning Dunn came into the room awaking witness up by his entrance. Did not hear him leave the room before this. He sat down at the foot of his bed and took his boots off. The key of the safe was afterwards replaced in witness’ pocket. Two or three days after the robbery both the accused weie discharged. Asked Dunn whether the back door was locked when he got up on the Sunday morning. He said it was. Dunn received £l7 10s on leaving as wages, and Edwards £l7 3s. The positions they held were positions of trust They had the handling of eftoney. Depended a good deal on their honesty. By Mr Perry—Saw Edwards in the kitchen on Sunday evening. A groom was not in the kitchen at that time. Me was there previously. They were drinking coffee. The servants or some of them usually drank coffee in the kitchen on Sunday evenings. Witness’s bed was close to Dunn’s. Dunn knew witness kept the key of the safe in his trousers’ pockets. Edwards’ duties were to wait' at table, look after the plate and serve the gentlemen with liquors, Ac. He might receive tips. They would not amount to much now, however.

By Mr Tosswill—Witness some limes slept lieuvily and sometimes lightly. When Dunn took his boots oil; witness went to sleep. Detective Kirby stated that this robbery was reported on August 18, and on the following day he saw the accused at the railway station. They were together. Took them into the room and told them that there had been a robbery at the Ship Hotel and that he suspected them of being concerned in it. Searched Dunn lirst and found in his right-hand pocket £*39. £3 in silver, wrapped in paper, and 13s lOd in bis trousers pocket. The notes were the ones produced. On searching Edwards found a purse containing £ls, a sixpence, and a penny. Thereupon arrested them both on this charge. They both said they were innocent of the robbery. Dunn said he could account for the money in his possession, It had been sent out from England to him on two occasions through the Bank of New Zealand at Christchurch. Then went to the Parcels office and searched the box produced, and found in it £l9 in notes, four half sovereigns, a purse with three half sovereigns, and a £l worth of silver. Had noticed the accused together since August 17 about the town.

After some further evidence, Edwards was discharged, there being no evidence against him, Dunn being committed to take his trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court, bail being fixed, himself in £IOO and two sureties of £IOO each. The Court then adjourned.