S.M. Court, Hastings.

Hastings Standard, Issue 10, 7 May 1896, Page 3

S.M. Court, Hastings.

(Before Messrs Fitzßov anil Beilbv J.P.s.) ' HIGHWAY ROBBERY. In the S.M. Court this morning, Frederick Power and Alfred Petersen ■were charged on remand with assault on William Pr.e . an 1 robbery there from to the value of 9s, on the night of 25th April last. Mr Cress well appeared for the accused. Sergeant Mitchell conducted the prosecution, and briefly described the circumstances of the case.

William Prue, sworn, deposed that he was a coachman in the employ of William Nelson, Waihoka, near Tomoana. He was 50 years of age. He remembered the evening of Saturday, 25th April. On that night he walked into Hastings about s o'clock. He had two half-crowns and a two-shilling piece in his pocket. He also had a small whisky tla-k. lie disposed of a bottle of varnish for 2s Cd at Caulion's Hotel. He had a glass of beer there, and filled his flask with whisky. He remained in the hotel nearly an hour, and had another glass of beer during that time. After leivirg Caulton's he met a friend and had a drink at Charlton's. He was in and out there until about closing time, when he left for home. He had then in his coat pocket a bottle of beer, also two half-crowns and a shilling or sixpence in his trousers pocket. He proceeded round the bank comer and then along Karamu road. He had been in the place where he now reside.-! for 11 years, and it had been his custom every Saturday night, if fine, to walk into Hastings." On the night in question, which" was a bright moonlight one, he was walking along the road past Fitzßoy's gate by himself, and thinking he" heard somebody' rushing out behind him, he looked round and saw two young men. One of them was dressed in a dark suit and the other appeared to have a brown coat and a light moustache. He believed the two accused were the men who assaulted him. He was in the act of turning round when he received a blow- behind the ear, which sent him down on his right side, He then got a heavy bang in the ribs, which he thought must have been a kick. He was knocked out of time and did not remember much more about the aftair. The next thing he remembered was being picked up by some Natives, who took him up the avenue leading to his home. On feeling bis pockets he found everything gone. The Natives could not have taken anything from his pickets without his knowing. On getting home he complained to his wife that he had been knocked and kicked and robbed. Blood was then coming from his mouth and nose. Next morning he felt very sore about the ribs, on the hip-bone and all over, caused by the knocking and kicking he received. He was compelled to keep his bed for three days, and had not been lit to resume his duties yet. By the Bench. —The men who assaulted him were on foot. Could not sav whether they appeared to be trying to overtake him when he saw them first.

"Winter Henry Fnzard, sworn, deposed that he wag Mr Charlton's assistant, and remembered seeing Mr Prue in the hotel on the night of Saturday, 25th April. He arrived there about nine and left about eleven. Mr Prue had not more than three glasses of beer in the hotel that evening. When leaving the witut -■» supplied him with a bottle of beer. He thought, when leaving the hotel that Mr Prue was capable of looking after himself.

Samuel Charlton, sworn, deposed that he was licensee of the Railway Hotel. He remembered seeing William Prue in his house on Saturday, April 25th. He left at closing-up time, and he then seemed all right.

Riihana te Uamairangi. sworn, deposed, that he remembered Saturday, 25th April. While on his way to Waiputa at 12 o'clock that night on horseback with others, passing Mr Fitzßoy's gate they came upon a man lying on the road. He recognised him aa the driver of Mr Nelson's buggy. He noticed his face was besmeared with blood. The injured man had no boots on. His hat and stick were close by. Both his coats were unbuttoned. From what he saw he thought the man had been robbed. He and his friends helped Prue along tbe road. They left him at the gate leading to Mr Nelson's. At 1 o'clock the Court adjourned until 2 p.m. On resuming, Alice Prue, sworn, gave evidence as to the condition in which her husband returned home on the night of April 25th. He stated that he had been knocked down, kicked, and everything taken from him. His face was covered in blood, and his clothing was covered with dust and bespattered with blood. He might have had a drink or two, but she thought he was quite capable of taking care of himself. For the next three days he was in bed and appeared half Charles Sanders, assistant at Surman's Hotel, deposed that he knew both the accused. They were in the hotel on the 21th April, and again on the following day. He was sure they were not in the house after closing-up time on the 25th April. Thomas Surman, licensee of the Hastings Hotel, remembered seeing the accused in his place on 24th April. He had occasion to speak to Power as to his conduct on that day. On the following evening he had also reason to reprimand both the accused for tripping-up an old man. He was positive the accused were not in his house after closing time. David Munn, a drover, gave evidence as to seeing accused about 10.45 on the night of April 25th in Surman's Hotel. Power was picking a quarrel with another man. Power was not drunk at the time. He could not say what condition Petersen was in. (Left sitting.)