ALLEGED FELONY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 48368, 29 September 1894, Page 3

ALLEGED FELONY.

'Frederick Dumn before the Court, (before Mr T. Hutchison, S.M.) Frederick Dungaii, on the information of tlio police, was charged with feloniously entering the house of the late Jacob Ikumbcr, and taking several articles therefrom. Jane Musclicaunip, sworn, slated that she resided in Villa Street, almost opposite the residence of the' late Mr Ikumbcr. Knew the accused, and remembered seeing him on the night of Monday, tlio 10th of Sept., as ho brought oysters to her place. It was about a quarter past eight when she saw him go over to 13aumber's house, returning about threequarters of an hour afterwards, It was rather dark at the time, but was sure it was the accused sliesaw. He had a parcel in his basket,which he may have been going to deliver there.

Cross-examined by the accused, witness said she had not told him at the shop to deliver the oysters at seven and was sorry she had kept liim waiting ns she had been up the town. Was sure she had not been on the "bust," at Mr Tucker's. Could not see him very well when he came olf the veraudah owing to the shadow of the trees.

In answer to the Bench, witness said sho was a little way from the house when he brought the oysters, and had no conversation with him until after he came back from Baumber's, shortly beforenine, when lie came to tell her about his delivering the oysters.

In answer to accused witness said sho had never drank beer with him in her life, and was sure ho did not open the parcel ho brought from Baumber's, in her presence, Raymond Maltby, called, stated itliat atone time he and accused woro i jbartnei'S in a restaurant in Queen joL'eet. On the 22nd inst,, from in-

formation recoivod lie looked; into the breast pockot of one of accused's coats and noticed there a lady's gold Watorbury watch, which ho knew did not belong to tho accused, and which, ho had every reason to beliovo, was tho one takon from tho lato Mr Baumber's. After seeing tho watch he went and found WilliamPellingham, who with witness wont to Mr Baumber's place of employment, Mr Baumber subsequently called round at witness' shop and asked accused for the watch and wished to know if he had taken it, to which query accused made no reply.

William Fellingham, called, stated that lie was a step-son of the late Mr Baumber. Remembered the night of the 10th, when all the family were absent from home, Returned homo after ton o'clock, when his attention was directed to the disorderly manner in which the room had been left after the intrusion of some stranger. The cash and another box Lad bcon tampered with, the contents of the latter being spread about the place. They found out afterwards a gold watch (produced in Court) had been taken, also some cash, Recognised watch produced, as one presented by himself and brother to their mother, who on several occasions wore it,

Frederick G. Watty, called, said ho was a Constable at Pnlmcrston North, and knew tho accused, whom

lie arrested upon receiving a warrant for his arrest for burglary at Mastcrton. Warned the accused who told him that lie did not know why lie did it, Accused said he saw Mr Baumber put the key under the step, with which he (accused) afterwards entered the house. He was short of money at the time, and that since then he had sent hack the things, The accused voluntcrcd this statement,

Accused, in answer to the Bench, stated that he had nothing to say in defence.

The Magistrate, summing up said there was no charge of burglary against the accused, but lie would be committed to lake his trial at the next Supreme Court sittings, for housebreaking unit theft.