LARCENY OF CLOTHING.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3803, 6 May 1891, Page 3

LARCENY OF CLOTHING.

Horleylwfere the Court-

In the R.M. Court this morning, Barry Morley, alias Mclnnes, was charged oa remand before Messrs Beetham and Boss, J.P.'e, with that he jJid on or about the 20th February last feloniously steal and carry away goods from the store of Mr C. J. Trapp, Alfredton, to the value of £7 los.

Michael Godina, sworn, deposed: I remember a fire occurring at Mr Trapp's store, Alfredton, but do not remember the month. It whs eight or nine weeks ago. I was about three chains away from the house when I observed a flare. This was about five

minutes past six in the morning. When I saw the fire I went to the house, but as I could not arouse the occupant I Bhouted out " Fire !" I tried to open the back door with a spade but could not do it. The winfr&ws were all fastened. I could not open the front door. Mr Pownall objected to this evidence. His client was not being charged with arson. Seagt. Hannan stated that he only wished to show thai the doors were fastened. x Witness[{continuing): Mr " Sam " came to flH»&istance when I cried " fire." Wfien burst the door open wiih an axe and extinguished the fire witn a bucket of water. By Mr Pownall: I could see no way by which the person who Jit the fire could have got out. Both doors were locked. Mr Trapp was in ••Eketahuna at the lime. I saw nobody leaving the Btore, but met Mr Trapp comiag home from Eketahuna. When I told Mr Trapp of the fire he commenced crying and showed; me the key of the door. SamueiEemp, on oath, deposed : 1 am a laborer residing at Alfredton. I remember the morning of February 21st. I heard a man crying out "Fire J" and seeing smoke knocked up the inmates of Mr George's hotel and told them Mr Trapp's store was on fire, lhe last witness was rappiug at the door and trying to effect an entrance. He afterwards got an axe

and broke in the door. I tried iC get in, but could not for smoke. I. threw water upon the fire until it was put out. The fire was in the centre

oi the store. "♦""Mr Pownall : Everything was secure. I did not notice whether there were keys, in the door. I saw Mr Trapp during the day but did not speak about the fire. Mr Trapp had often complained of having the toothache. On the morning of tfce fire I saw the accused coming towards the store. I cannot say if he is in partnership with Mr Trapp in any transaction. I have worked with the accused, but saw nothing objectionable about him. Sinclair M. George, sworn, deposed: X am a publican residing at Alfredton, I remember the morning of February 21% J. when I was called out of bed about six o'clock. Trapp's store ws between six and seven chains from my hotel. I went to the store and assisted in putting the fire out. The goods did not seem to bo damaged, but I noticed some taken from the shelves which were there when I was last in the store. The journal, or day book, was lying open. I was in the store the day previous. I know the accused.

Br Mr Pownall: I know Mr Trapp, who left home about six o'clock on the night proceeding the fire, He was bsrck early in the morning. I saw Km on the road, and be said he was sorry the fire had occurred. He stated he had secured the premises before he left. I did not see the accused at the time of the fire. It would not be very easy for a person to walk off with the goods produced without being detected. The fire must have been burning three hours before it was noticed. From what I could see a kerosene box had been placed beside a bag of grass seed; and there was some debris in a box. This must have been fired. The day book looked as though it had" been placed by the window to take fire. By the Police : When the accused arrived he did not appear to take much interest in the fire. L. McQuarrie, sheepfarmer of Alfiedton, deposed to knowing the prisoner, who was in. his employ in February last. He lived about 20. chains from Trapp's store. The accused was at his house up till ten o'clock on the night of February 23. He did not sleep in the same room, but under the same roof. After

accused said good-night he went out, but returned shortly afterwards, and tnen went oat again about a quarter o£sn hoar later. It was between ten and eleven o'clock. The man could have gone out later in the night without his knowledge. On the occasion mentioned he was not'away long enough to go to Trapp's store and back. Three days after the fire, accused left his employ without notice. He was absent at the lime. Accused had told * man named William Venns that he fancied] Constable JJoache was - after him. Accused had been paid some of bis wages, but there was pay owing to him when he left. Charles Weston, schoolmaster, of Alfredton, identified a saddle produced as his. At this stage the Court adjourned o'clock, *