RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIV, Issue 180, 1 August 1890, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

[Before A. Turnbull Esq., R.M.] Harry Belin was charged with being unlawfully on the premisss of the Nelson Hotel on the night of Tuesday, July 29, and wi'h the laroeny of a pair of boots, 1 pair gloves, 1 white shirt, and 4s in silver. Iu answer to the first charge the prisoner pleaded not guilty, saying that he was staying in the house. He admitted taking the boots, gloves, and shirt, but not the money. Sergeant White explained to the Benoh that the prisoner had stopped at the Nelson Hotel, but that Mr Cornish, the proprietor, had for very good reasons turned him out on ; the morning before the robbery, so that the man must have* secreted himself in the house during the evening. He called James Cornish : I am an hotelkeeper and keep the Nelson Hotel. I know the accused He has been stopping 1 at my hotel. The morning before the robbery (29bh inst) I turned him out as I heard things about him whioh I did not like. That night I went to bed about 11*15. Previous to going to bed I left some ooppera and silver on a chest of drawers in the bedroom. I know all the outside doors and windows were fastened. There was no one staying in the house except the housemaid, the barmaid and myself. I went faßt asleep and was awakened by hearing a jingle. I called out "Who's there? Who's there?" No answer came so I struck a match. I then, saw the accused leaning over the chest of drawers where I had placed the money. I asked him what he was doing there and he said he had got over the back gate. I got up and took him down stairs. I noticed he had no boots on. He said " Give me my boots." I looked at them and saw they were mine and told him so. I had to go back to the bedroom to get the key of the door. I then turned him out. I then found out he had taken the boots. Previous to going to bed I did not see him on the premises. I think he must have secreted himself in the house. When I went back to my bedroom I missed 4s or. 5s in cash. Those are my boots (produced). The shirt I will not swear to, I never gave anyone leave to take those articles off my premises. Kate Fowler : I am a domestic servant employed by Mr Cornish. I know the accused. I have often seen him in the house. He told me the day bufore the robbery that Mr Cornish had turned him out of the house. This is Mr Cornish's shirt (produced). It was put away the Thursday before the robbery. Constable Phair ; I arrested the accused on the morning of the 30th inst on the charge of being illegally on the premises. I searched him and found the articles produced. He had the boots on. The prisoner said he never took the money, but admitted taking the other articles. £ergt. White said he knew nothing further of the man than that he and another were round town a few weeks ago with a bear, and that both the men and the bear were usually more or less intoxicated. His Worship sentenced the accused to one month's imprisonment with hard labour on each charge, the sentences to be cumulative.