POLICE COURT.-Yesterday.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1802, 1 May 1874, Page 3

POLICE COURT.-Yesterday.

(Before W. J'RASEIt, Esq., R.JI.) Likceny.—Joliu Masters, Mary Ann Masters, aud Thomas Lloyd wero charged that they did, on tho 23rd day of April, from the house of Mary Jane Shaw, llolleston-street, Shortland, feloniously steal, take, and carry away 2 vases, 1 gold brooch, 1 gold locket, portion of a ladies' chain, aud <Ji antimacassars, all of the value of under £5, the property of the said Mary Jane Shaw.—Mr Mien stated tho circumstances of the case, and withdrew the charge against Mary Ann Masters. She was the wife of one of tho accused, but they were not in a position to prove that she was not acting under coercion.— Vtrs Masters was then discharged,—Mary Jane Shaw deposed: I am the widoiv of William dbaw, recently proprietor of the Globe Hotel, liollestonstreet. M.y husband died on Sunday, the 19th instant. I recollect Thursday, the 23rd. Amongst other things in the room where my husband died were two vases, which were on the mantelpiece. There were in these vases a gold brooch, part of a ladies' gold chaiu, aud a gold locket, and sundry other little articles. There wore four antimacassars in the room, placed on the chairs. Tho antimacassars now produced are my property, and are tho same that were in the room on Thursday. My sister-in-law was in the house at the time. We wont out in the evening, leaving my brother, Charles Morroiv, iu charge, of the house. vVe returned about 9 o'clock, but 1 did not go into the room in whioh these articles were until next morning, when I missed tho antimacassars/ 1 know tho two accused by sight. I gave information to the police of this. I value the whole property taken from me at under £5. X never gave the prisoners or any one else permission to take that property asvay.—By Mastors: there was no one in tho room that day before or after you.—By Mr Bullen: That room was closed to tho public on account of Mr Shaw's death.—Mary Morrow deposed: [ am sister-in-law to .Mrs Shaw, aud have been residing with her at tho Globo Hotel since Mr Shaw's death. I know the room in which tho late Mr Shaw diod. I cleared it all out ou Thursday last. I put the antimacassars on tbo chairs myself. I would know them again. [ recognise tho four antimacassars now produced, as tho same. There were vases ou tho mantelpiooe. I dusted thorn aud put thorn on. They contained a gold chain, a locket, a chain, two sleepingpowders, and some toys. I went out .vith Mrs Shaw about half-past 7 iu tho evening. My husband remained iu charge of tho place. I dusted tho room botweon four and five, aud there was no i ono in tho room up to the time wo went mt. Wo returned at nine. I went into tho room, and took out tho lamp, but I oiwuot say whether tho articles wero thou

in the room, for I only went in and lifted: the lamp and went out. Of my own knowledge I do not know of anyone having gone into the room that night. Mrs Shaw went into the room about 8 o'clock, and asked mo where were the vases. I went in, and found that they were not there. I saw Masters on Friday, but have not seen him mire than once, to my knowledge. Inever gave those articles' to anyone.—Charles Morrow deposed: I am brother to Mrs Shaw, and husband of the last witness. I recollect on Thursday I last my wife and Mrs Shaw going out ' about half-past 7 o'clock, and leaving mo in charge. I know the room in which tho late Mr Shaw died. I did not see anyone in it since then till the two accused and a lady came. This was between 8 and 9 o'clock on Thursday. Masters spoke to me, and asked if Mrs Shaw was in. I said she had gone out, but would, bo back in a short time. I wanted him • to,sit down in tho front room, but he said' he would go into the other room (the room in which Mr Shaw-died).' There was a light in tho front room, but none in this one, and I got a light out of the kitchen and showed them in. I supplied them with some liquor. They remained about half-an-hour. From the time of serving them with the liquor until they wont away I did not go into the room, : but I went in after they left, and took away the glasses, I did not notice tho vases or antimacassars. From the time they went away there was no one else in the room up to tho time/Mrs Shaw re- . turned.—By Masters: I stood talking to you at tho door after bringing the liquor., There were two others in the kitchen.' The door of this room looks into the kitchen. If the door was wide open, a person in .the kitchen could good part of tho room, but if the door was only ajar they could see only a small portion, and not tho place where these articles were. Thero was a light in the room when I came to remove the glasses.—By Lloyd: I did uot see anything in your, hand when you went out.—Detective Brennan deposed: I consequence of what was told to mo regarding tuis robbery, I visited Masters' house on Tuesday, but I then had no warrant to search. £ saw . Mrs Masters. I made an imperfect' search on that occasion, not being diily authorised. Mrs Masters seemed excited. I got-a search warrant, and.searched tho house- yesterday. Mr Masters, Lloyd, and' Mrs Masters were present. [ proceeded to search the premises. Mr Mas-, tew'and his wife, I know, live albiid i'lt" the house, and I- was informod by Mr Masters that person stopped with them. I found the .four antimacassars' produced concealed between tuo lining and the roof. They mist have been put . through a small; hole in the, lining. ' The two accusod and Mrs' Masters were ' present. 'Mr' Masters said," I did n'ot know they wero there; I never saw them before." ! Lloyd : made no remark. I apprehended all three. I searched for the remaining por-' .tion of the stolen property, but ould not (indany more.—By Masters: Yon offered;' uo objection to my searchiug the house;" you offered to assist me. I asked you if those anthmcissars wereyour3, and you said no, that you did not know how they camo there. Lloyd said that tho two officers went to his place and searched, but found nothing. -Masters said that he could not acoouut for how they oame there. Ho had been to Shaw's that night, and had a glass of liquor, but he never saw the antimacassars until Detective Brennan took them out.—The Bench, to Masters: Did you know Shaw before ?-Masters: Yes.—And you went to condole with hor over her loss ? -I weat to see Mrs Shaw. Lloyd-said ho knew nothing about tho matter.—The Bonch: ifousaid you had something in your hand when you were leaving Shaw's.— Yes, I had a bottle fall of tea j I was going to work.—Tuo Bench: Ind instead of going to work, you went and slept at Masters' that night? -I went to the battory and found that they would not be working until morning, so I returned and stayed at Masters'.—His Worship sail he had no doubt whatever but they stole the things., It was the most contemptible thr/fc he had ever heard of; to go to condole with a poor little'wo- . man in her distress, and rob her in this way. They would be sentenced to, (> months'imprisonment with hard labour. Tbansfbb ;of iiiOENSB.—A.n applica- '• tion for tho transfer of tho license of the ■ Hape Hotel from Adam Ore to Koberfc. Robertson, which had been adjouraod from the preceding day, was granted.