THE SUPPOSED BURGLARY AT LYTTELTON.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11014, 11 July 1901, Page 3

THE SUPPOSED BURGLARY AT LYTTELTON.

ACCUSED COMMITTED FOT. TRIAL. At Lvttelton yesterday, before Capt. Marciol and Mr .."R. Webb, J.P.s , David Miller, William Patrick LoadeT. and Robert Haydon, for Avhoni Mr T. I. Joynt appeared, Aye re charged AA.th having, on July 4th, broken into the .Royal Hotel, and stolen a box of cigars, a box of playing cards, a bottle of whisky, three battles of Australian Avine, and two "bottles of orange phosphate, of the total value of £4 9s 6d, the property of John Km est Ashworth. All Avitnesses Avere ordered out of court.

John Ernest Ashworth deposed that he was licensee of the Royal Hotel. On July 4th, about 3 p.m., witness went to the storeroom, where ha found the accused Miller. The storeroom was always kept locked, and witness had the key in his pocket. Ther3 was one window to the store, 27 x 23 inches in dimensif ns, and 4ft 9in from tha floor. It was not glazed, hut was protected by an iron grating (produced). Witness saw Leader going from the passage to the yard, and Havdon in the passage. Haydon sang out "Close the door," as though addressing some one in the public bar. When witness saw Miller in the store he had a box of cigars (produced) in his hand. Miller said the barman had let -Mm in for a bottle of whisky. The iron grating had been wrenched off t;ie window. Witness hid unlocked the door. He. took the box of cigars produced. He then missed another box of cigars, nine packs of playing cards in a box. one hottle of whiskey, three bottles of Australian wine, and two bottles of orange phosphate He found afterwards. in an outhouse, a box of cigars, the playing cards, and tlw whisky. He valued all the articles at about £S, 2s' The barman asked Miller if he said he let him in. Miller said "Yes." Loader said. "Ye*, you did." The barman denied it. To Mr Jovnt—l had seen the accused Haydon'about twelve o'clock. The barman was Orton. who relieves the ordinary barman. 1 was absent from the hotel about an hour and a. half. I saw all the accused together about fifteen minutes past three. William Orton, assistant barman at the Royal "aye corroborative evidence. _ and James Duke, hairdresser, was also examined. Constable Larmer deposed that on .July 4th he arrested Miller, charging him with breaking in and stealing the articles produced, which Mr Ashworth gave witness. Miller said. "This is a nice thing the barman has let mc *m for. He sent mc for a bottle of whiskevv* Witness described the appearance of the storeroom. Witness brought Miller to the lock-up. Constable Connel stated that about 7 p.m. on July 4th he arrested Loader on the present charge. In answer he said he knew nothing about it. He. was under the influence of drink. Witness arrested Haydon about 10.30 p.m. the same day. His answer was, "It's no good worrying, I'll be. able to get out of it all right." This whs the case for the prosecution. The accused received the usual caution, and Mr Jovnt said he did not propose to call the accused to* make a statement, or to cad witnesses for the defence. No direct evidence, he. contended, liad been given against Loader and Haydon. With regard to Miller there was the" evidence of Mr Ashworth. Certain things were missed and subsequently found. but nothing was found upon any of the accused. It was absurd to say that the breaking in could have been done in broad daylight, as the noise of wrenching away the iron grating must have drawn attention. The Bench committed all the accused for trial at the Supreme Court, BREAKING GAOL. William Patrick Loader was then charged with rescuing David MUler from custody, and David Miller was charged with escaping from custody. Mr Jovnt appeared for the accused. Sergeant Rutledge deposed that about 3.50 p.m. on July 4th, Constable Larmer brought Millar to the Police Station, on a charge of breaking into the Royal Hotel store and stealing therein. Before Miller left the office Haydon and Loader, with Mr Haydon, sen., came to bail Miller out. Witness told them he could not take bail. Miller was put into a cell. About 5.25 p.m. witness gave Miller Jiis tea. locked the door, and put down the slide on the pigeon-hole. Witness produced the lock which was on the door. That, was the only fastening (a brass padlock). About 7 p.m. Constable Connel came and told witness that Miller was at large. Witness found the lock-up door open. With Constable Moore witness arrested Miller and Constable Connel arrested Loader, who were together at the AiDion Hotel. The accused were taken to the lock-up and charged with the offences now named in the charge sheet. About 2 a.m. next day witness w&r standing outsidthe cell where the two men were, and heard Loader say "I twisted it and it came off easily." Witness was cross-examined by Mr Jovnt Other evidence was called, and the accused were committed for trial. The Bench

granted bail, each of the present, accused j £150 and tAvo sureties of £150 each. 1

Havdon was admitted to bail, himself in £100* and two sureties of £100 each. The bail Avas forthcoming.