EXAMINATION OF JOHN A. CARR. LARCENY.

West Coast Times, Issue 388, 20 December 1866, Page 3

EXAMINATION OF JOHN A. CARR. LARCENY.

John A. Carr, on remand, was charged with larceny, as a police constable, of four revolvers, one sword belt, a cartouche pouch, and one pah 1 of riding pants of the value of L3O. Mr Home appeared for the prosecution, iSlnd Mr Eees for the prisoner. Mr Home briefly opened the case and called Satd Christopher Moller, who, on being sworn, deposed — I am a member of the Hokitika Police force. On the 10th May, 1866, I received a revolver and case from Sergeant Hickson, with instructions to clean it, which I did, and hung it up in my room over my bed. My room is at the Police Camp, Hokitika, near the foot bridge leading from the Camp to Tiancred street. The la9t time I saw the revolver was about, five o'clock in the afternoon. I placed the revolver in the spot where my own one had been hanging. At about half-past nine o'clock the same evening, I went to- my bed, and I then missed the revolver. I searched all round the room, and made enquiries from the other constables, but could not get any tidings of same. I reported the loss to Sergeant Hickson, at about ten o'clock that night. I also heard that a sword sling and another revolver had been taken. Search was also made for these, at which I was present and assisted. A patent, leather sword belt was found at that search by me. This was about halfpast ten. It was found at the back of the room, between the room and the foot bridge to which I have before referred. Sergeant Hickson, Sergeant Wliite, Constable Bolton and the prisoner Carr all assisted,- in the search. The belt I found belonged to Constable Charles.- He was then absent on duty. The revolver that was lo3t from my room was a Colt's revolver. It was in a dark patent leather case. The revolver now shown to me is the same. I recognise it by the Q-o-verflment brand which is on the revolver and the&oec. I do not know the exact number j thqfc'was on the case, but I believe it was 24. I nfever authorised any person to dispose of thejWvolver or case. Ojross-exarnincd by Mr Eecs — I do not re- j collect when I hung the revolver up, but I believe it was before dinner time. I was in my room between five and six o'clock on the evening of the 10th November, and I did not at the time miss the revolver. Between the hours of five and sir o'clock the door was not locked. I believe it was a dark night, for we used lights to search. When I went into the room between five and six o'clock, I do not know whether the door was shut or open. I saw the prisoner in the camp between five and seven o'clock. This was in the mess-room. Shortly after I missed the revolvers I saw the prisoner in bed. Isaac Charles, being called and sworn, deposed — I was in the police force in the month of May last. On the 10th of that month I was one of three who comprised the Ross escort. I returned to the camp, Hokitika, between five and six o'clock on that day. I had my üßual accoutrements on and hung them up in the usual place, namely, the mounted constable's room. My accoutrements consisted of a revolver and case, sword and sheath, sword-sling and cross belt. I left the camp at about bix o'clock that evening, and went over to the South Spit to take charge of the horses. When I left the camp at six o'clock, the articles I have enumerated were hanging up in my bed-room. I got back from the South Spit the next day at about twelve o'clock. I at once went into my room and missed the revolver and case, and cross-belt. I reported the loss without delay to Inspector Broham (

and Sergeant Hickson. The revolver was one of Dean & Adnms. It was in ft brown caso. The sword-sling was in the room. Tho articles I have enumerated belonged to the Provincial Government. I received them upon my joining the force in March last. These articles are valued at about LlO. I have seen the re-volver-case since its loss and recovery, in the DOssession of Sergeant Hickson. This was about a fortnight after the things were stolen. I never parted with them Or authorised any person to dispose of them. 1 marked tho re-volver-caso in three places by which I am enabled to identify it. The marks were three strokes of a penknife in threo different places. I had two sets of sword-slings ; one was of common leather and tho other of patent leather. The case now shown to me is the one that I received upon joining the Hokitika constabulary. Cross-examined by Mr Eces — Tho bedroom door was never locked. On an evening when there was no one in it was generally closed. When I returned from tho South Spit on the following day I do not recollect having seen the prisoner. Willitfin Wils'oii, beinc; called and sworn, deposed— l am a Sergeant of Police, and in the month of May last I was stationed in Hokitika. I recollect giving a pair of pants to be washed by a prisoner named Hall. On the inorning of the 11th May, between seven and eight I went to the wash-house to get my pants, and found that^they were gone. I have never seen them since! au d I never gave them to any person to dispose of for me. The man Hall could not have made away with them. They were the property of the Provincial Government. The wash-house is situate on j the left side of the camp, going into Eevell street. A person could get to the wash-house without passing the quarters of the mounted police, but in ah? ease he would havo to pass the Sergeant's quarters and some cells, and woidd run the risk of being seen. Cross-examined by prisoner(in absence of Mr Eees) — I cannot say whether it is u&ual to have the wash-house locked up. A person could gain access to it by getting over the fence and coining up Tancred street. The fence is a post and rail one, and can bo easily climbed. The fence is distant from the washhouse aboiit twenty yards. The prisoner was here remanded, and the Court adjourned till 10 a.m. this day.

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