A DARING BURGLARY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2657, 10 May 1894, Page 3

A DARING BURGLARY.

(Otago Daily Times). One of most daring cases of burglary that has occurred iu the city for some considerable time past was braught to light yesterday morning. When the inmates of the Universal Hotel, Maclaggan street, rose at their usual hour, sigus were discovered which gave rise to the suspicion that the place had been broken into during the night. A closer investigation proved these suspicious to be correct, for it was found that a safe containing jewellery and money to the extent of £25 had been removed from the building. The burglars went about their business in an exceptionally daring manner. They raised the trapdoor on the footpath leading to the cellar, and descending found themselves underneath the bar floor. They next raised the trapdoor above their heads and easily effected an entrance to the bar room itself. Their next step was to remove the safe, aud as it was a light one their task was comparatively easy, for they had simply to open one of the doors and walk away with it. This they did, and, proceeding to Jubilee Park, they skilfully cut the bottom out of the receptacle, aud loading themselves with the booty decamped. The matter was placed in the hands of Detectives Henderson and M’Gralh, who immediately set to work, with the result that before IT e’clock they arrested 'three young men named Kennedy, Kelly, and Blue. Shortly after their arrest the men in question—William Kennedy, Michael Kelly, and James Blue—were jointly charged at the Police Court, before Messrs O. Hayes and R. Hay, J.P.’s with burglariously entering the dwelling house of Mary Knox, licensee of the Universal Hotel, aud stealing therefrom jewellery and money to the value of about £25. Mr Hanlon appeared for the accused Kelly and Kennedy, and Mr Mouat for Blue. Detective Henderson said that the accused had only been arrested a few hours previously iu fact two of them had not been in gaol at all, tut had been brought direct to the court. Under the circumstances he would apply for a remand until Monday next. Mr Mouat objected to the remand. His client had instructed him that there was no evidence against him whatever, consequently he (counsel) submitted that the police should tender some evidence before they asked the court to lock up these men while the case was being worked up.

Mr Hanlon said he endorsed what Mr Mouat had said. It was not competent for the police to arrest three men aud lock them up while some evidence was being worked up. Even if evidence were produced he submitted that a remand for a weak was too long.

Detective Henderson said that he was not asking 'for anything un » lal. The police did not arrest persons on a mere suspicion, and they did not get witnesses before they got the prisoners. Mr Hanlon : Well, that’s what you should do.

Mr Haynes obsarved that in the absence of any evidence the bench was not prepared to grant a remand for a longer period than Friday. The case would be remanded till Friday.

Detective Henderson said that he would like substantial bail to be fixed. If the men were let out the ends of justice might be defeated. The case was a serious one. The place was broken into some time after 1 o’clodk that morning. A large safe was carried away and smashed open and £SO worth of jewellry stolen. Mr Hanlon : Was any of the jewellery found on him ?

Detective Henderson ; X won’t say now. The Bench ; The accused will be admitted to bail, each in the sum of £SO and two sureties of a similar amount.