R.M. COURT

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3291, 24 August 1889, Page 2

R.M. COURT

MASTERTON-FRIDAY. (Before Colonel Roberts, R. M.) Breach or the Bankruptcy Act. The charge against 0. E. Beokman was continued. ... ' Ha'ns'Chris'tianPeterson,!a groom,' residing at'Eketahuna, knew accused and his wife. Had visited their hotel from time to time. Remembered accused leaving Eketahuna alter the sale of the hotel to MrToohill. Retneniberedmeeting Beokman about two miles out of Eketahuna one Sunday evening about 8 o'clock. His wife'was in witness's company at the time. Prior to meeting the accused witness met Deniell Stewart, who wa3 coming: in'the direction of Eketahuna. After a short, conversation witness walked on in the direction of Woodville, and came up to Mrs Beckman who was talking to her husband. A short distance away there was a buggy with the driver Langdon. Had no idea when he went out with Mrs Beckman that he would meet her husband. Had walked out of an evening several tinaea with Mrs Beckman. Had a conversation with Mrs Beokman about her husband on their way home. Did not refer to the matter whilst in the driver's company, Never went out with Mrs Bookman when accused was in Eketahuna.

Mr Beard considered tins way of questioning his own witness irrevelant, and appealed to his Worship to ask his friend to heap within the proper limit, . ■ Mr Bunny promised to be as lenient (is possible. Witness had received no conrmuuications personally from accused but Mrs Beckman had, When witness saw acoused on the Sunday evening he did not speak, Had lied no conversation since with accused. Daniel Stewart, settler, •of Eketahuna, said that ho saw accused on tl]Q night in question about six miles from Metahutia in a buggy, Aooused camo out and spoke to him, and said he was going on to see Mrs Beckman. Witness said " Don't you know there is a warrant out for you?" Accused replied "What for?" Wltnesssiid:"For clearing out from your-creditors." He replied that he had left money i with his wife to pay his creditors. Could not recollect whother he said all his creditors. Mr Petersen came back to his house that evening with Mrs Beckman, Mrs Beckman told him her husband had gone to Woodville. She showod me a roll of notes but did not say how much it was. She said it was to pay the creditors. She also said she had been advised to take out a warrant against him for wife desertion.

George Neale said he had been acting as bailiff for the Official Assignee in regard to Beckman's estate at Eketahuna. On 3rd August received a warrant from the Official Assignee, On Bth saw Mrs Beckman at Mr Jones' and demanded £6O, but did not get it, Mr Beard objected to any ovidenco as to what was said, and tho objection was upheld, Witness said he seized sundry boxes that were already packed and strapped. Beckinan left Eketahuna at the end of July. Mrs Beckman left by train lor Masterton on Bth August, Crass oxanriued; The boxes seized contained tho woaring apparel of Mrs Beckman, and vases and ornaments worth ss. By Mr Bunny.: The oaso obtained from Stewart's contained a carpet rug, case of stuffed birds and about a dozen books, The other boxes contained clothing. Allowed Mrs Beckman to take the clothing away with her.

George Ward said ho was a sign writer' living in Masterton, Had known accused and Mrs Beckman two or three years. Mrs Beckman stayed at his homo on the night of the Bth August, and he wont with her and her children on tho next day to Wellington by the first train, He went to assist her with her children and luggage to reach Wellington, Left Mrs Beckman at the hotel and went to the shipping office and obtained tiokets for Mrs Beckman and children. Found the name had been written on tho ticket as Bateman, and he labelled tho luggage to oorrespond. Mrsßateman and the children sailed for Napier in the Waihora, Had no communication with Mr Beckman about the matter, Mrs Beckman paid his fare to Wellington and back, Changed a ten pound note for her at the railway station. Saw only somo silver besides,

Sergt. Price gave evidence as to receiving the prisoner from Constable Maker. With accused witness received warrants of arrest and remand from Auckland; also property sheet,

Mr Beard objected to the property sheet being put in until all the signatures were properly attested. Witness said the document bore' the signature of accused in two places. The document was admitted. Cross-examined by Mr Beard: I do not know upon whom the property mentioned in the sheet was found. Mr Bunny at this-stage asked for an adjournment for one week, as certain'witnesses that he had to call werenpt'tq qe qqtaii]e'd under that' time. Mr Ijeard sjrqngly qposed the demand. It was not shown by tho other side that they had taken one single step to procure that extra evidence. Witnesses had beeu called from all quarters and the time of the Court had been taken up by frivolous

evidence to prove-that the acouued put his arm round his wife's waist, Air Bunny said if his friend was prepared to admit the evidence he was prepared to prove by Detective C'hrystal he might consider the matter of closing the case at an earlier date. Mr Beard said a man was not to be harrasse;! in. such a prosecution. It was not for him to conduct the; case for the other side or make admissions. . The enso was remanded till Thnrs- -Aday next, bail being allowed as before,