CHARGE OF BREAKING AND ENTERING.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 144, 19 June 1889, Page 5

CHARGE OF BREAKING AND ENTERING.

John Joseph Knash and Thomas Floyd, aliai White, O'Hara, and Moore, appeared at the Police Court this morning, before Dr. Giles, R.M., to answer the charge of having broken and entered the dwellinghouse of Joseph Rensbaw, at Avondale, and stolen therefrom a black felt bat and certain articles of jewellery. Inspector Broham conducted the prosesecution, and JMr J. O'Moagher appeared for the lad Knash,

Airs Sarah Jane Renshaw deposed that she was the wife of Joseph Renshaw, tanner, Avondalo. On Saturday, May 4th, 1889, her attention was attracted by some person knocking at the back-door. She looked through the window and saw the prisoner Floyd. Her little girl went out and showed him the way to Dr. Pollen's. Between two and three o'clock witness went out after locking the house up, Next morning witness missed the following articles of jewellery :—One pair of gold earrings, one earring (belonging to her girl), ono gold locket and chain, gold watch and chain, two gold lockets and two gold keys, one gold brooch, and felt hab (belonging to her husband). The missing articles • were worth over £10. She noticed that the sash of the kitchen window had been tampered with. The jewellery might have been stolen a few days before she missed it. When witness saw Floyd at the gaol he had that hat on his head. Witness was in town on the Friday pi*evious to the robbery.

By Mr O'Meagher: She had never seen Knash anywhere near her house. Annetta Reushavv, daughter of the last witness, gave corroborative evidence. She identified Floyd as the man who knocked ab the door of their house. She showed him the way to Dr. Pollen's.

Joseph Renshaw deposed to tho ownership of the hat and also identified the jewellery. John Bunyan, licensed pawnbroker. Greystreet, deposed that the prisoner Knash came to his shop on the night of Saturday, tho 4th of May. He wanted to sell the jewellery produced in Court. Witness gave 4s for the earrings, locket and chain, and brooch. Knash said tho articles belonged to his mother, who had sent him to selL them.

By Mr O'Meagher: The brooch and chain were bra&s, which had been gilded. The locket was gold of low quality. He had tested them. The locket would fetch about 3s 6d at a sale.

Constable McCoy deposed to having arrested the accused Knash. He took Knash to Mr Bunyan, who identified him

as the man who sold the jewellery to him. Knash said he had never been to Avondale. Witness had known Knash for some years. He was a little lame, but not so bad as he appeared to be when he walked across the Courb. Prisoner said that he did not commit the robbery.

Michael Burke, fish-hawker,- residing in Victoria Quadrant, deposed that he knew both the accused. Knash's people lived in Chancery Lane. He had seen both the accuaed together in Ghancery-streeb about six weeks ago. They were talking, but ho did-not know what about.

Detective Hughes deposed that when Floyd was in the Police Station he was wearing the felt hat produced in Court and identified by Mr Renshaw as his property. Witness examined the window of the houso and found marks on the sash as if a knife had been driven between tho sash so as to open the window. Some of the wood had been chipped off. There were also marks on the window sill.

Prisoners both roserved their defence, and were duly committed to take their trial at the next Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court.