R.M. COURT.-THIS DAY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4733, 7 October 1886, Page 3

R.M. COURT.-THIS DAY.

(Before Messrs Kennody and Irvine, J.P.'s.)

StrSPICOTED ROBBERY.

Frederick Holmes and William McKewon were charged with being suspected of having stolen certain moneys belonging to one H. Henderson, licensee of the Occidental Hotel. , , Mr Dick appeared for tho accused who pleaded not guilty. 11. W. G. Henderson deposed he was licensee of tho Occidental Hotel. Know tlie accused. They bad been lodging at bis hotel a week from last Saturday. They had charge of some games on the racecourse yesterday. McKewon occupied room No. 10, and Holmes room No. 12. The room ho himßelf occupied was on the same floor. I saw tho accused at his house last evening. Ho kept some money in tho cash-box locked up in the chest of drawers in his bedroom. During the evening he had occasion to go to his bedroom. Changed a_£lo nolo, took out fivo single notes and put in the £10 note. This was between 8 and 9 o'clock. Could not say whether the accused were present at that time. If they had been upstairs they could have seen him (witness) go into his room. In consequence of what ho was told by Mrs Henderson, went straight up to his bedroom. That was about 9 o'clock. The bedroom door was open when he went up, and a koy was in the door. Ho searched tho room and found marks representing that of a chisel on the lock of the door and chest of drawers. Found a key hi the bedroom door. Then went down stairs and told Sergt. O'Grady. Showed him the lock in the door, &c. Previous to this asked both the licensed to settle their bills with him. Tho key (produced) did not belong to his bedroom; it fitted No. 10. Mr Gr.ice picked up the chisel lying between two boxes in the passage. There were several gaps in the chisol, and also gaps in tho locks of the bedroom door and chest of drawers, in which the chisel exactly fitted.

To Mr Dick: The houso is open to all, and they go in and out as they pleaso. When ho ordered them away did not accuse them of having committed anything. Paulina Henderson, wife of tho last witness, deposed she knew the accused. They had been lodging at tho Occidental Hotel. They (accused) occupied rooms No. 10 and 12. Saw them last night. Saw McKewon upstairs, and afterwards saw both downstairs. It was about 9 o'clock. McKewon was then standing on the top of the stair case. McKewon stopped her, and spoke to her. Would not let her pass, and told her to wake him at 7 o'clock in the morning. The accused considered a long time beforo he spoke, and said " I am going to the show to-morrow, and I will take your gall." The speaking could be heard in the bedroom. Managed to got past him, aud then he called her back again and said, " Won't you let her go F" and she replied " What do you think I keep a girl for?" Then went to her bedroom, and found the room in the stato of things already mentioned. Went down to tho bar and acquainted Mr Henderson with the facts, and told him that they had been robbed. Tho key out of room No. 10 was missing, and fitted her bedroom door. She stopped in the bar while Mi Henderson wont upstairs. McKewon was then standing at the bar drinking. Holmes was at that time in room No 12 in bed.

To Mr Dijk: Was pretty busy last night. A good many were staying at the Occidental who went to the races that day. There was a great deal of noise down stairs at the time, singing, &c, being indulged in.

Bridget Buckley deposed she was housemaid in the Occidental Hotel. Saw the accused several times during the evening up stairs and down. Saw McKewon walking up and down the passage. Did not know where Holmes was at the time.

Detective Grace deposed he knew the accused. Knew their occupations as "spielers." In consequence of information given him he apprehended the accused. Told them what they were charged with. Afterwards made an examination of Mr Henderson's bedroom-door and chest of drawers, and the chisel produced exactly fitted in the gaps made. Mr Dick said that it was a very weak case indeed. He asked tho Bench to look at tho facts. A race night and people wrestling, singing, etc., ami coming and going as they pleased. He did not see how the guilt could be attached to the accused. One of :hem (Holmes) was at tho time in bed, and the other was not near the place. There was no necessity to address the Court, as there was nothing to address upon. If there was anything suggestive of crime he would certainly commont on it, but there was not. There was not the slightest suggestion of suspicion. The oase was dismissed.