R.M. COURT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4393, 14 April 1893, Page 2

R.M. COURT.

MASTERTON.-THUESDAY.

(Before Messrs Caselberg and Price J.Ps.) ROBBEUY FBOM THG PEBBON. George Gordon and Allan Moffatt were charged with robbing Thomas Black in Kenall Street of a watch and chain of the value of eight pounds, Sergeant McCardle prosecuted and accused were undefended. Mrs Jane Jenkins said she lived on the corner of Chapel and Renall Street and between ouo and two o'clook on Wednesday she saw a man, now in Court, Thomas Black, intoxicated lying near the fence in Kenall Street. She saw two men como up and turn the man over on his back and tako his watch and ohain, One of the men then dropped the watch into his right band pocket. Witness pointed out the accused Gordon as the one who pooketed the watch. The other accused, Moffat, raised Black from the ground and let him fall again. John Falk was about twenty yards away and could huYO seen the same as witness had now explained. After tak" ing tho watch accused then went round Chapel Street, Witness then asked her ueighbour Mr Alexander to go for the police.

To the Court; Gordon first rolled Black over before the watch was taken. Accused here asked leave to obtain counsel, and Sergt, McArdle said tbat they eould not find Mr Skipper before the Court sat.

The Court was willing to adjourn to enable accused to obtain counsel and the case was adjourned till 2,30 p,m, LAROENY. Wm, Jakeson alias Peter Johnson pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing a coat and trousers at Martinborough. Sergeant McArdle applied for a remand which was granted. On resuming at 2.30 p.m. Mr Jaokson appeared for accused-Gor-don.

John Falk corroborated the evidence given by Mrs Jenkins, Clias, F, Giiroto deposed to seeing both the accused on Wednesday in Olsen's boarding house shortly after dinner. Gordon called witness on one side and pulling out the watch said he wanted to make a rise and offered to take seven shillings and sixpence for it. Witness said to him " That is Black's watch, tvhero did you get it." Accused replied, "It belongs to a b—flattened out in the back street." He then said if that young b— (meanin" Moffat) says anything I'll hang biro. Thomas Black said he had been in company with accused and had some drinks with him, Ho did not have many drinks, but he believed he had been drugged. Refused to lond ac cusod money that he asked for. They were mates some four years ago. Had not givon accused any authority to lake his watch,

By Mr Jackson: Could not say accused was not an honest man. Would be thankful if anyone took his watch or purse to save it for him in a similar case,

By Sergeant MoArdlo: Would not expect them 10 offer them for sale. Alex, Henderson, watchmaker, examined the watch and proved it to be the same that 'Thos. Black had purchased from witness, Tho number was entered in his book, and corresponded with that on the watch. Constable Stewart proved tho arrest of both the accused, Moffat saying that tliey had taken tho watch to keep for Black. Gordon admitted having the watch when arrested, For the defence, Mr Jackson addressed tho Bench, submitting that, there could bo no committal unless thoy had positive proof that tho watch was taken with the intent to sell it or otherwise dispose of it, After being cautioned in the ueual way, Allan Moflat, sworn, said he was in company with the accused Gordon on Wednesday, They were together in Small-street, and he there saw Black lying on the sido of the road. When accused Gordon found bo could not awake him easily he took his watch from his pocket, remarking that he would take it and keep it till Black got sober and tbon return it to him,

Georgo Gordon was also cautioned, and after giving evidence was committed for trial, Bail was fixed at accused in £SO and two sureties at £25 each to be approved by police, Moffat was discharged. The Court then adjourned till tomorrow at 10 a,m; MASTERTON.-FRIJJAY, (Before Messrs A. W, Renal], Eli Smith and Butetuent, J.JVs.) LAECENY, Polioe v. William Jakeeon, alius Peter Johnston, Accused was charged with the larceny of a tweed coat and trousorß, the property of William Read, of Martinborough, valued at £3,

The accused elected to be dealt with summarily and pleaded not guilty.

Sergeant MoArdle explained that the accused and Read slept in the same room at the Club Hotel, Martinborough, and the clothes being missed suspicion fell on the accused, who on being arrested in Mftstcrton was found in possession of the missing goods,

William Read, laborer, gave evidence that accused, himself and two others slept in the same room on the. night before- the clothing was missed. Suspected accused because some of the servantp bad seen him come down stairs with a parcel. The olothea produced wero his property, The value was £B. Sergeant McArdle gave evidence ot the arrest of acoused, who he found enquiring the way to Eketahuna, Took bim to the Polioe Station and,

iscovered the stolen property in (he risoner's swag concealed inside other lothing.

The acouscd said he had not stolen tho property. He had left his swag in the billiard room and afterwards found it in another room. He did not know the things were in his swag until he reached Greytown. 'He wore two coate because it was cold when he left Maryborough. Mr Renall eoid his defenco had made Mb case worae. The Court was sorry but tho case was olear and the sentence would be two months hard labor. L._jg

Accused: ''Two months iWH much," An order was made for the restoration of the clothing to Eead.