LYTTELTON.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7870, 22 May 1891, Page 3

LYTTELTON.

Thursday, May 21. (Before Messrs Hamilton and J. R.

Milsom, J.P.'a.) Robbery.—The charge against Creasy, Wright, Welsh, and Bryant for robbery from the person of J. Millar was proceeded with. J. Cousin, cross-examined by Mr Nalder—Creasy was drunk when witness first saw him. Millar was also under the influence of drink, but Wright was sober. Creasy stood in the road when Millar was pushed against tho fence, but afterwards went to where Millar and the rest were standing. It was very dark at the time, and it was impossible to distinguish all the persons round Millar. Cross-examined by Sergeant O'Malley—Wright was tho only one of the prisoners who he (witness) saw with Millar against the fence before Creasy went over. After about ten minutes they let Miliar go. In answer to the accused Wright, witness said he could swear he saw Wright with Millar against the fence, aud he also saw him go into the Mitre. George James, a lad aged 10, stated that he was with the last witness, Cousins, on Saturday evening. Saw the accused Wright and others going across the road by the casual ward. After a time he saw them rob a man, who afterwards went away. The witness was cross-examined atsomelengthbyMr Nalder, and admitted that ho did not see the robbery, but heard Cousins say, ** I'll bet that man's being robbed." T. A. White-Parsons, licensee of the Mitre Hotel, stated that he knew Millar, who came to the hotel at 11.30 a.m. on Saturday morning. Saw him frequently during the rest of the day. He was in the company of two sailors during the afternoon, and was perfectly sober. Noticed that Millar had a passage ticket, and also five or six one pound notes. Saw Millar leave for the Dingadee at about 4.30, the sailor carrying his swag. Next saw Millar at about 8.30 in company with Creasy and Bryant, when they came into the bar to have a parting glass. Millar was pretty far gone, but only drank soda-water. Creasy and Bryant said they would see Millar on board the boat. Saw Wright and Walsh at the bar during the time Millar was there, but did not see them interchange words. The sailor who carried Millar's swag down to the steamer was in the publio bar at this time. Witness then called his attention to Millar going away, and asked him to see him safely on board the Dingadee. Cross-examined by Mr Nalder—Millar might have had seven whiskies before dinner. He also had a glass of beer at dinner time. Next saw him at about 4 p.m., when he appeared perfectly sober. At half-past eight Millar again came into the hotel with Creasy and Bryant, none of whom appeared to bi drunk. Walls and Wright were in another, room and did not appear to know that Millar was in the hotel. Geo. Gray, a Beaman residing at Lyttelton, stated that he remembered seeing Millar on Saturday, and carried his luggage to the Mitre Hotel, Saw Millar agam at about eight o'clock but could not say if any of the accused were with him. After a time Millar and several other persons left the bar and went across the road. Followed them, and saw them all standing against a fence opposite the Bank of New Zealand, as if in conversation. Went away before they separated, but could not swesjt to any of the accused. Christopher Amys, employed at the Royal Hotel, stated that he saw the four accused in the bar between nine and ten o'clock on Saturday night. Creasy was so drunk that he was unable to leave the hotel, and had to lie down in a private room. Saw Millar in the private ban with Creasy about 6 o'clock. Both were very drunk. Constable McCormack gave evidence to arresting Creasy at a quarter-past nine oa Saturday evening. On being charged with robbing James Millar of £9, he stated that he was sick. On the way to the station he said he must do something for a living;, aa they would not let him join the Association. On searching him at the station, found a knife, afterwards identified by Millar, and 18s 7d. Afterwards charged Wright with being an accomplice in robbing Millar of £9Wright then said the charge might be correct, but he would tell the truth about it on Monday morning. On Sunday arrested Bryant and accused him of robbing Millar of £9 also. He admitted being there, but had nothing to do with the robbery. On visiting the place opposite the Bank of New Zealand found two studs, which were identified by Millar. By Mr Nalder—Saw Millar very drunk at 9 p.m. on Sunday evening. Millar stated that he left Rakaia with J2ll and should have £9 left. G. Fitzgerald, a constable stationed at Lyttelton, stated that he arrested Welsh on Sunday night and charged him with robbing Mdlarof £6. He made no reply to the charge, but subsequently said he would tell all about it. He said, "I and my mate were up town. I 'saw two men come , out of an hotel, and they had hold of a ' tug.' I heard the man sing out, and went to his assistance. * He was Helping Millar on board the Dingadee, and had hold of one of his arras, and Creasy had hold of the other. Welsh came up and took hold of Millar. They went ovei the street. He saw Welsh put his hand into the man's pocket and take some money out. Creasy also put his hand into the man's pocket. The man then went away, when Creasy said, " I only got three bob off the ——. Welsh said he only got eighteen pence, and offered to shout. They aU went into the Royal Hotel, and Welsh shouted. Creasy was left there as he was bad. They then went to the Canterbury, where Wright was arrested. The accused Wright, .also made a statement. This was tbe case for the prosecution. Mr , Nalder having addressed the Bench, the latter decided that there was not sufficient evidence to convict accused on, and they were therefore djamissed.