LYTTELTON.

Press, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4539, 17 February 1880, Page 3

LYTTELTON.

MOHDAY, FSBBCABY 16. [Before J. Bes-ick, E*q, B M., and J. H. Pott*, Esq.. J P. LT~'ACY. —Peter Polerto, an A.B. on board the schooner Seagull, was, upon the testimony of Dr. J. T. Bouse and Dr. Barrow, sent to Suncyside. Lascbnt.—Florence Ebbitt was charged with the larceny of a shawl from the Ocean View Hotel, Governor's B*y. Mr H- N. Nalder defended the accused. Dsnnis Black, constable, said the accused was given in charge last Friday night at eleven, at tbe police station, Governor's Bay, by IT. Basbford, tho licensee of the Ocean View Hotel, Governor's Bsy. He charged her with stealing a shawl, a> d handed witness a lelegifim ana a letter. When the charge was made she accused Mr Buhford ?i;h having planted the shawl while she was out. Frederick Bashford, the prosecutor, said

the' accmed was a servant in his employ since December last. The article alleged to have been stolen belonged to a Mrs Littlecott, who had been staying at the hotel. She had missed the shawl after returning to Wellington, and had sent a letter to witness informing him of tbe loss. In consequence of this witness spoke to the accused, asking if she had seen it, and the latter denied all knowledge of it. Witness and his wife then searched the bedroom which was occupied by Mrs Littlecott, but did not find it Several days after, and upon tbe day before the accused was to leave the hotel, witness searched her room. The girl before this had steadily persisted in her denial of having j seen the shawl. When witness said he 1 would search her bedroom, she said " Y-ju m»y do so and my box also." Witness searched the room and fornd the shawl under the bedding between it and the bed slats. Tbe girl immediately she saw it said—" That has been put there." In his cross-exs ruination witness said the night before this discovery was made he had voluntarily told the girl she might go out for a walk, but not stay later than ten o'clock. The witness was examined as to his present insolvency, and in answer to oounsel said he had carted goods from his hotel just before he filed. They were brought back again. The girl and witness had bad some words about reports she had circulated about this matter. There was one month's wages due to her. -Counsel for the girl addressed the Bench at some length with reference to the conduct of the prosecutor. The B?nch adjourned to consider the evidence, and returned with a verdict of acquittal.