R.M. COURT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3290, 23 August 1889, Page 2

R.M. COURT.

MASTBBTON-THUBBDAY (before Col. Roberts E.M.) BREACH OF TUB BANKRUPTCY ACT. The charge against C, E. Beckman was continued. Thomas Parsons deposed to paying accused .£2 4s on the 23rd. July, ho stating, that he was going by train the following morning and wanted it.

Mrs Annie O'Neale stated that she wus housemaid for accused from the beginning of May till Toohill took possession. Beckman said he was going to Australia. She heard about five or six weeks before ho lelt that be was in difficulties and meant to go away. One Sunday morning after he had been in Wellington he said "Business is dull. I can't stay here as I ani losing money, I was at Wellington last night to make arrangements w.\\ Oastendyko and Jocko'but cp dp nothing with thorn," dlie was surprised to hear that, A few weeks later Mr Toohill made his appearance and an inventory was taken, that was a week before Toohill took possession, It was in the evening. Beckman said " 1 have a good thing on," and witness replied'!! 1 dope 50." Afterwards he went to Masterton with Toohill; on returning he asked her to put the house straight, and then intimattd

that Toohill bud arrived and he did not Icn'jw whoiboi* site would be kept on or not, luit she would havo to tiud another home, Beckman then went to Masterton and returned % same evening when he announced that he was going away in the morning with his wife aud children, Tho worst of tho packing was dono and the conversation dropped. About 1130 Beckman spoke to her again, He said "I'm going away," Witness rejoined "What about my wages ?" He replied " Mrs Beckman will have money and she will |my you," He added,"Lct bygones he bygones" aud gave bag she admired. Heaaidhowas going to Queensland, That was the last she saw of him. Sho promised to look after Mrs Beck'man and the children hut she did not do so as she had not been paid. After Btckraan left, she saw £SO in Mrs Beckman'B possession but she refused to pay her.

In cross-examination witness said that about six weeks ago Beckman said he could not arrange matters with Castendykf. aud Focke that they wanted a mortgage from him and be would not give it and that he would have to sell out, After sho had been working for Beckman for eight weeks she asked for ten shillings. He pulled a long face and would not give it. Beckman told her all along. he owed no one, People were bunting him up and she gave him a look that told him what she thought. Had to look . after Mrs Beckman and family because Mrs Beckman hud no capacity. i, Mr Beard: What do you mean by that ? I mean she had no go, no previous knowledge, Why do you think so? Is it her ill health that makes her incapable, ? You can't expect people to use their brains if the've got nonj to use. (Laughter,) Oh then, Mrs Beckman you think has no brains] No, but she drinks sometimes and locks herself up in her room for weeks, letting things go neglected. Witness added that on one occasion she had a row with Beckman, because he swore at her, She reprimanded him and left the room. She had also a tiff with Mrs Beckman after Beckman left. Mrs Beckman charged her with walking out with a man who was the father of her child. Thereupon slie slapped her. She was afterwards fined five shillings for taking tho law into her own hands.

She kept the key of Mis Beckroan's room and kept her things back. Never betted she would get Becknian convicted. I went into the bedroom rather quickly and saw Mrs Beckraan counting notes. I said "you've (>ot some money" and in reply said she had got £SO. Had no ill-feeling towards Beckraan and wife, beyond what one naturally would have at losing one's motioy, B, R. C. Coleman, teller at Bank Ne\V: Zealand, Masterton, said be

knew accused. Beckraan had an account at tho Bank since 1886. He had at the present time to his credit £i Bs, The last cheque drawn was for £2l9s, on July 25th. Christina Cole said she was cook at Mr Jones' accommodation house when Mrs Becktuan was staying there. Saw somo money once in her possession. They were notes in a yard of flannel, sown up in an oblong shape, which she fastened in the bosom of her dress. Mrs Beckman remarked it was a vory good hiding placo. [A note of Mr Beard's objection to the last sentence as evidence was made in the margin,] Cross examined: Did not count the notes, Just saw the edge of some and could not say whother thore were five, ten, fifteen, or twenty. Did uot know if anything else was in the bag.

James Jones said he kept a- store and accommodation bouse, and had known accused two or three years, Was aware he was a bankrupt. Was a creditor in the estate, but had not proved. About a month ago Beckman owed him about £6O, Mrs Jones was paid somewhere about £3O by Mrs Beckinsn whilst bub was staying there. Could not say the exact time. Received a mossage from Mr Pownall through Mr Tumor, asking him to join in makiug the accused a bankrupt, hut refused on account of the messenger terming him a fool. Was in the train on the road to Wellington when Beckman got into the train at Kuripuhi. Beckman left the train at Kttiwarra. Took steps next day to find whero Beckman had gone to but without success, Asked Beckman this morning what he got in the train at Kuripuni tor, and why he jumped off at Kaiwarra. Beckman said Kurupuni was tho nearest station, and ho loft the train at Kaiwarra because ho was not going to be shepherded about by three or four people, Did not know that Beckman was a bankrupt when ho received the monoy Mrs Beckman paid to his wife, Cross-examined : Beckman told him that he did not intend clearing out,

Frederick Bright said he was a creditor in tho estate of Beckman, and was on the train with last witness and accused managed to got £1 out of Beckman on account of tho £l6 owing. Asked Beckman when hegot on tho train at Kuripuni if he was clearing out, Ho said not. Witness said it looked very much like it when ho walked to Kuripuni, Accused replied he happened to be at that end of the town. Accused said he would be hack Friday or Saturday, and pay him tho balance on his return as he had the money in tho bank, Beckman left the train at Kaiwarra, and ho had not seen him since until that day. At this slago it was decided to adjourn tho case till tho following morning bail being allowed.

FRIDAY. LARCENY V Thor K, Jacohsen, otherwise known as " True Blue," was charged with the larceny from the Mauwceville Railway station on' 14th August of four sacks of potatoes valued at 30s, the property of Mr W. Neill. On the application of Mr Pownall, who appeared for the prosecutor, the case was remanded until next Friday, bail being allowed, accused in £SO, and ono surety of £25. """" a) The charge against 0. E, Bookman was continued. James Langdon, coachdriver of Woodvillo, said he was walking with Chris Petersen and Beckman last night. Might have said a few words about the case, Beckman, when ho pet him, shook hands. Did not ask what evidence he could give, Was engaged on 28id July to, bring Beckman through from Woodville, When near Eketahuna met a lady; tho lady said " Charlie." Beekmau previously jumped out and nut his arm round her waist, and led her towards the bush, Did pot see hip giye her a kiss, nor hear what passed between them, They ai-emed to be talking pretty freely, When they returned, a tus.n came up and theyal)

drove to near EkuUthium, Did nol notice Iho mini or lady particularly. When Ihoy got. out ho drovo Beckraan back to Woodville, teacbiuc; there at tlirco o'clock in tho morning. Buckman stopped with him, as it was tou late to get a bed, and when witness rose at 7.30 he was gone. (Loft Sitting.)