MASTERTON BURGLARIES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4830, 20 September 1894, Page 3

MASTERTON BURGLARIES.

Crocker Committed for Trial.

On the Court resuming after we went to prefls yesterday, evidence was given by Wong You in proof that the proporty belonged to him. Sergeant McArdlegave a detailed account of the search of tho premises occupied by Crocker where ho found a large quantity of goods stored away in the coiling and under the wallpaper of the rooms, He had subsequently arrested accused. Constable Stewart gave corroborative ovidonco. Accused was cautioned in tho usual manner, but had nothing to say, and was committed for trial at the November sitting ot the Supreme Court at WelliV ' v \ THE )£I CASE.

Crocker was ,iso charged with having entered the house of Mr J. C. Walker, at Opaki, at various times between the 17th and 31st August and with having stolen therefrom numerous articles of household furniture, spoons, forks, etc. ,) Mr C. E, Cooki\rn-Hood and Mrs Kilminster, proyeu that the articles produced in court, and also those in possession of the police atthestation wero the property of Mr Walker, and that no ono had been autherised to removo them,

The search of tho house of Crocker, the finding of the stolen property, and arrest of accused we again proved by Sergeant McAi'dle and Constable Stewart,

Accused on being cautioned, Again declined to make any statement, and was committed for trial on the second charge. AIDING AND ABETI'ISO. Elizabeth Reeves, who was living with Crockjr as his wife, was charged with aiding and abetting him in the foregoing theft. Accused was defended by Mr Jackson, SergeantMcArdle conducting the prosecution, Sergeant McArdle and Constable Stowart gave evidence that accused had been found living with Crocker, and that tlioy had found tho stolon property in their bedroom and about the bed, When the Sergeant claimed tho goods ob belonging to Mr Walker, neither Crocker or the accused contradicted him, and in a portmanteau stated to belong to accused, they had found tea, cocoa, etc, and 4s fijdin coppers in a ladies' bag, which bag she claimed, and which was found'under tho mattes,

Mr Jackson called no evidence, but after accused had been cautioned! ,ho submitted' to the Bench that no [evidence bad been given that could

connect the woman with the actual theft, consequently they must dismiss tho information.

After 'Considerable argument us to tlio meaning of the Statute, tlio Bench dismissed tlio information.