ALLEGED ROBBERY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 146, 22 June 1899, Page 5

ALLEGED ROBBERY.

CONSTABLE O'CONNELL

ACQUITTED

(By. Telegraph—Press Association.)

NAPIER, 'Wednesday.

At the Supreme Court to-day Joseph O'Connell, police constable, was acquitted of a charge of stealing £10 from a passenger on board the Waihora, on her voyage from Gisborne to Napier. O'Connell alleged that the chief witness, the man robbed, had been coached by Sergeant Mitchell, and produced a memoranda in the witness' handwriting to that effect. The witness admitted writing the document, but denied its truth. It came out, however, in the cross - examination of • several witnesses that the' sergeant had read over to them the depositions taken in the Magistrate's Court, to refresh their memories. Judge Edwards commented on this in strong terms. Mr Cotterill, the Crown Prosecutor, denied any knowledge of what' had been done. The Judge said he did not suppose for a moment that he did. He hoped this would be a warning to Mitchell. His.Honor also commented on the evidence, showing that the bar in the second cabin of the steamer appeared to be kept open all night, and that the stewards were drinking with passengers, some of whom became helplessly intoxicated. Mr Cotterill said Mr Puflett, the local agent of the Union Company, had instructed him to say that His Honor's remarks would be forwarded to the headquarters of the Company.