CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 864, 21 September 1871, Page 2

CHARLESTON.

(from our own correspondent.) RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. Monday, September 18. (Before C. Broad, Esq,, E.M. and J. Henry, Esq., J.P.) Joseph King was charged with stealing a gold watch, value £45, the property of Alexander Tait, from the premises of George Aldous, Princesstreet, Charleston. Sergeant Kiely conducted the prosecution, and Mr Shapter defended the prisoner. Alexander Tait, stated: I am a photographer residing in Charleston. On the 12th, I put a gold watch, value £45, in Mr. Aldous' window for exhibition, with the consent of Mr Evans, Mr Aldous' partner. I saw the watch in the window on Thursday evening, the 14th, about a quarter to five. I was then going down the street. I returned about ten minutes after, and went into my own place through Mr Aldous shop, that being a near cut. la passing my own place I saw Mr Aldous chopping wood, and King was along with him. I stopped and spoke to them. King afterwards assisted Mr Aldous in carrying the wood into his house in Blackett street. On their return they called into my place, but a customer came in shortly afterwards, and they left. About 7

o'clock I went to look at the window, and saw the watch was not there. I then asked Mr Evans if he had taken in the watch. He replied that he had not. I then thought that probably Mr Aldous had removed it. I asked him, and he said, " Tou don't mean to Bay that the watch is gone ? I have not goc it" I asked Aldous where the prisoner lived, as I suspected him. We then wait up to the camp, and gave information to the police. Constable Williams accompanied us back, and I pointed out where the watch had been. We then went in search of Mr Bear. I had seen him at the window, and I wanted to know if the watch was there at that time. We found him and he said he knew nothing of it. We then went in search of prisoner and found him in Nahr's hotel parlor. I called him and put some qnestions to him about his having seen the watch, and he said Mr Aldous had left him to mindthe place while he went to the Post office. This conversation took place opposite Nahr's door. I then went over opposite to Aldous. The billiard maker at Nahr's came over and told me 1 ought to have the prisoner searched. I asked prisoner to walk up to the camp with me, and had him searched. There was nothing found on him. he said " what would the public say if they knew I was searched." That was between halfpast nine and ten o'clock. After he was searched he left the camp, and I went down to Aldous'. The following morning constable Williams called upon me between six and seven o'clock, and we went to Nahr's back premises. We commenced searching for the watch. We searched for about half an hour unsuccessfully. I had searched the closet twice, and went to search it the third time. In a crevice there was a lot of filthy paper, rubbish, and stones. I got a stick and commenced turning over these things. I turned over a stone and the watch became exposed. I exclaimed "Oh Sergeant, here it is." The watch produced is the watch that was in the window, and is my property. I gave no one permission to move it. After finding the watch we went in search of the prisoner, and found him at Areyle Terrace. He was in bed in a hut. He was told to get up that he was arrested for stealing the watch. Constable Williams cautioned him in the usual way. Prisoner said, " all right." Cross-examined by Mr Shapter:— As I returned, after going down the street I did not notice the watch in the window ; the door was open, but no one was in the shop. Where they were chopping wood they could see into the shop. I know the watch from having worn it so long, and from the number.

George Aldous gave corroborative evidence ; and the testimony of the arresting constable, and a billiardmarker, named Williams, in the employ of Nahr, publican, threw no additional light upon the circumstances of the robbery. Julius Goldstucker stated: lam an accountant residing in Charleston. I know Aldous' shop in Princes-street. I was there on Thursday last, the 14th instant, between two and three o'clock. Mr Aldous, Mr Evans, accused, and Mr Williams were there also. There was a watch in a glass case. The watch was handed about. I bought some tobacco, and left. I was not in the shop again until after I heard that the watch was stolen. When I first heard of the watch being stolen I was sitting in Nahr's parlour at the stove. Prisoner was there when the theft was announced. I turned round and asked him if that was the first intimation he had had of it. He smiled and said it was. I said it was strange, that we both had been handling the watch that evening, and either he or I should have it. Certain remarks that the billiard-marker made strengthened my suspicions against the prisoner. My first reason for suspecting the prisoner was his taking it so coolly. The billiard-marker and I went to the yard, and made a sort of a search. King had left at that time. Cross-examined by Mr Shapter: The remark that I made, " Either you or I must have the watch" was an expression of my suspicion. I felt a remote interest in the fate of the watch, and I was astonished at prisoner taking it so coolly. The Bench, in giving judgment, stated that the evidence was insufficient to warrant a committal; and the prisoner was accordingly discharged. He asked if it were the opinion of the Court that he was discharged with unblemished reputation, but the Bench declined to express any opinion upon the matter.