R.M. COURT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2029, 30 June 1885, Page 2

R.M. COURT.

MASTERTON-MONDAY [Before H, A/ Stratford,' R, M,, and ■■/ V. W. H. Beetham, J.P.] URCENY- . ' ' George King was charged with having on the 27th insfc., stolen a portmanteau, the property of Alexander M'Crae. , The prosecutor deposed that about 11 o'clock p.m. on Saturday he was walking doyn Queen-street,. carrying a portmanteau, when the accused came up and offered to carry it for him, arid before witness could reply, he took it out of his hand and ran away. Witness tried to catchup to him, but accused disappeared' behind-some stables; The portmanteau contained a. complete Highland .suit, other clothing, and various documents .of value to him. He had never before been in King's company, and he was a stranger to him.' He never gave prisoner the portmanteau .to carry.. John'Jenkins said he was standing in front of the Club Hotel at the time of the occurrence and saw it all. He corroborated the evidence of M'Crae. Constable Oullinane deposed that onSunday he went to accused's house in company;witb/SerQ[t. Lyon and McOrae.' Prisoner was arrested, and subsequently; told him where the portmanteau was hidden. He again proceeded to prisoner's house and found it in some furze. The lock had been broken open. : -' Onbein? asked whether he hajl anythin? to say, prisoner pleaded that he was in'liquor at the time of the theft, and that he was a married man with a family. His Worship said he could not deal summarily }vith the case,; and committed prisoner to take his trial at the ensuing sittings of the supreme Court,