A Colonial Jack Sheppard.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3505, 19 March 1880, Page 2

A Colonial Jack Sheppard.

• The history of the man Frederick Plummer "(alias half a dozen other names), who wa3 charged at the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day (says the Wellington Post a few days ago) with being illegally on the premises of Mr E. Port, has been a singular one. He is both well educated and well connected, and is not given to drink, and yet he has scarcely been out of gaol\for a month together for the last tea or twelve years. About that time he wa9 in Auckland gaol for burglary. While at work outside the prison one day he made a determined and daring attempt to escape, but he was detected and chased by the guard. When called upon to stop he refused, and was only brought to by a ball through the calf of his leg, the mark of which he bears to this day. Several years ago Plummer was sent with fire other refractory criminals, among them the notorious fire-raiser, Cyrus Haley, to Dunedin for safer custody. TheDunedin gaol, however, was not proof against Mr Plummer's ingenuity. Shortly after his arrival he eluded the sentinels while at exercise^ and got clear away. He lay hidden in a plantation until night, and then broke into the pavilion on the cricket ground, and obtained a change of clothing, i He then had the temerity to venture into the town, but here he was promptly recaptured by the police. For these two attempts to escape he received extra sentences, aud his accumulated terms of imprisonment now amounted to 16 years and 9 months. Twelve "months ago he, was pardoned on petition.'- After his' release he went to Auckland, and afterwards came to Wellington, where his career shows that his previous punishments had not had a wholesome effect. llt will be remembered that about 9 months ago, the community irritated by continuous raids on meat safes and back kitchens. Plummer was detected as one of the apple pie and mutton snatchers, and received two sentences amounting to 6 months. He was released at the end of last December, but his bad habits are evidently still clinging to him. He is a good musician, and while in Auckland gaol was allowed to fiddle to the other prisoners. He has a brother in holy orders.

On being charged in Court today, the prisoner asked to have the latter part read over again. This was done, and then he said—" I plead guilty, but I should like to hear what the officer has to say about me." « '

Detective Warren wa« sworn, and, after being remanded by Mr Maniford to confine himself strictly to the present charee, deposed to the circumstances under which he found Plummer.

Mr C. P. Powles, the Secretary of the Land and Loan Company, to whom Mr Port's premises belong, also gave evidence. „ ' ■

The prisoner—If it will not tire your Worship, I should like to make a rather long statement.

Mr Mansford said he could do so if lie liked, but he could assure him that any knowledge he might have of his prerious career would not affect his decision in the present case. The prisoner then entered into a long explanation of his circumstances. His Worship, he said, would notice that there was an alias to his name. He assumed -thAt-a£..ib»4nstigati6n~bf Inspector Mallard, of Dunedin, when he was released from that gaol. He wished to keep his own, , but the Inspector told him it would never do. He had an interview with the Hon. Mr Sheehan, Colonel Whitmore, and Mr Driver, and they advised him to go away to the United States. Mr Driver gave him money, and he also told him he must change his name. He went to Auckland, ! where his brothers were, and saw the Bey. i Mr Edgar and Detective Jeffrey, who was an old friend. He afterwards obtained employment on Larkyns and O'Brien's railway contract, and subsequently at the Lunatic Asylum. After this his brother agreed to start a new business in Auckland, and it was arranged that he (prisoner) should go to England. He packed up some goods which he. had to take with him, and started. He meant io come to Wellington and go from there to Melbourne, and so Home. On his first night in Wellington he went to see Mr Cress wick play " Othello," at the Opera House, and in the crush had his pocket book and all his money stolen. He had not the courage to write up to his brother, but stayed on in Wellington with his 18s. Then occurred the circumstances which led to his getting six months'. That was the sever- j est piece of justice he had ever experienced. When he came out he had only a halfpenny, but his friends sent him tome money, and he went to Wanganui to try and get work. It cost him £3 16s. to earn 4s. He came back. He had tried to get work,' but it was very difficult. No one but those in his position knew how difficult it was. He knew he had no business on Mr Fort's land, but he was simply saving the money it would have cost him for a bed. He wanted to get an honest living but could not. He believed the alias had a good deal to do with his" non-success. He would wear his own name in future, and try and regain his character.

Mr Mansford,' who had heard the prisoner with great patience and rery attentively, stopped him here, and told him he believed'there was a good deal of truth in what he had stated, and to give him the benefit of the doubt he should remand him until Wednesday! and in the meantime communicate by telegram with his brother in Auckland.

The prisoner thanked bis Worship, and was then removed.