AN IMPUDENT ROBBERY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4032, 8 February 1892, Page 2

AN IMPUDENT ROBBERY.

Spielers at Work Ho Honour among TMom

In the Masterton B.k. Court this morning, before Messrs \V. H. BeethamandJ. Moment, J.P.'s,. two strangers to the town named Charles White and Obarles Colling were pharged' with feloniously stealing a watohi and' chain, the property of Qeorge Grace.' ' ' ' White pleaded guilty to having the Watoh in lnYpossession, but Collins pleaded "notguilty,". " George Grace, sworn, deposed: I am a bushman. On Saturday afternoon I saw the prisoners at the bar of the Empire Hotel. We had a drink together. A man named Collins challenged me to fight. I went outside and took off my coat and vest. When I went to get them again. I found my watoh was gone. I reported my loss to Mr Thompson. I did not give permission to any person to sell my watch, , I valued the watoh and ohain at twenty-five shillings. The prisoner Collins- was the man who challenged me to fight, ; i" James Bplars, oVaffirmation, deposed ;' On' Saturday last 1 saw the prisou'ers, About dusk they called at myshop. The man White ask'eu me if I would buy the watoh. J did so, and (jjaye him eight sellings, Collins remarked that f was giving very little for the watphj, although I could hardly say he took part in the deal, When he came m, I believe Collins said, " I've brought you a customer." Sergeant flannan: Do you wish to ask any questions ? . Prisoner GollinB: No, I do not. I can only say I did not take the watch.

Charles White deposed: I came into town about four days ago, I happened to go iuto Thompson's on Saturday afternoon wi;h another mate of pqine. I then met Collins. A row took place in the Hotel W twegn Gra,ce and Cellins, resulting in the two going' outside tg fight, 'twas asked to go outside and see fair p]ay. I did so, and Graoe handed me his watch and ohain and asked me ■ to keep it for him; Collins came up to, me and said ".You've got the deiry:!'' (meaning the watch), I said 1 had, and he then said " come on, let's do away with it." I said I did not half like doing that, but Collins replied " |eyer. mind, I'm an. old hand at the routine;!!'' WafterWards went to Billars' Bhop and got eight shillings for the watch and chain. We went out, and I gave Collins three shillings and promised io shout for him. When 1 went into the hotel Iliad no idea oi taking the watch, Prisoner Collins : : I, did' not have three shillings from you. if' '.■•:•. ,Th,e witness: You did, :' ,: ,| Acoosed; I did not, you're a liar,

The witness: But I say you did, Accused: You're trying to shift the blamo on to me. You were drunk and wanted to fight several in the hotel. I believe the watok was taken before tbe fight. Witness [in answer to the Bench]: The man Grace was drunk at the time. The accused: He could not' be more drunk than I was. ,1 was j' drinking all day—(laughter). : . This was the oase for tho proseou* tion, For the defence Collins called Constable O'Leary, who deposed to the arrest. He could not say whether or not Collins had stolen the watch. The acoused (Collins) stated that he had only been in Masterton a few days. He had not stolen the watch, but had accidentally gone into Mr Silhr'sshop with White, Sergeant Hannan stated that there was little doubt'but that the two men had o'.olen the articles. Collins had gone out to fight whilst his mate took the watoh, and he afterwards participated in the «" : . Collins: That's a lie. You're trying to get mo into it as well as White. < l • ■■■■•■'■'' Sergeant Hannan said that in the interests of the public, the Bench should make an example of the accused. Mr Beetham said the decision of the Bench was that White receir«m ; month's hard labour in the j ton Terraoe Gaol and Collins a' fortnight.' ,'■ 'i Collins: Thank'B, Your Worship; but I don't deserve it','-'