THE BURGLARY AT EPSOM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6342, 16 March 1882, Page 5

THE BURGLARY AT EPSOM.

COMMITTAL OF BLOOM FIELD. James Bloomfield was again brought up at the Police Court yesterday, on a charge of breaking and entering the (lwelling-liouse of John Buller, Epsom, with intent to commit a felony. Sergeant-Major Pardy conducted the prosecution. John Buller deposed : I am a settler, residing at Epsom. On the night of the 7th inst., I went to bed at 10 o'clock ; all in the house retired at that time. Left doors and windows all secured. My bedroom is on the ground floor. About midnight I was awoke by Mrs. Buller, who said some one was trying to get into the bedroom by the door. The door was locked. I jumped out of bed, quickly unlocked the door, and opened it. Saw a man running out of the front door by the hull, the front door being at the time wide open. Gave chase. The man followed the path to the garden gate, which was also open. Fastened this gate shortk '"fire going to bed. The man shut the gate after getting outside, and I had a little difficulty in opening it. Followed him for some distance, and as I gained on him lie turned on me, put his hand in his breast pocket, and presented at me, as if to shoot me. Closed with him, and, after a struggle, threw him 011 the ground, and held him til! assistance arrived. Bound him, brought him in to town and handed him over to the police. The knife and stick (produced) I received from Mrs. Buller. Coming into town, I had a conversation with him, and asked him how he got into the rooms. He said he got ill through the window with a knife, and struck a match 111 the front room. He described the furniture in the room, and said he tried to get into my bedroom. He said he expected to get money in the house. He said he saw a light burning in my bedroom. Prisoner is the man who entered mv house and whom X subsequently captured and handed over to the police. Ellen G. Chambers, companion to Mrs. Buller, deposed that on the night in question, after Mr. Buller had given chase to some person, she found the dining-room window open. Found the knife and stick produced at the bottom of the steps of the front door.

.Lunes Karnes, gardener, residing new Mr. Jiuller's resilience, deposed to hearing cries for assistance on the night of the 7th instant about 12.15 o'clock. Assisted Mr. lSuller, who had prisoner in his custody. After prisoner was secured, found a pair of boots in the luxlj.e near Mr. Buller's house, and gave them to prisoner, who had no boots on. Prisoner at ouce put them on. Was directed where to find the boots by prisoner. The same prisoner was also charged with burglariously entering the house of William Morgan, on the Ist inst. Sergeant Gamble conducted the case for the police.

William Morgan deposed that about 1 o'clock a.m. on the night in question lie was awakened, and found a liat in his bedroom. Struck a match and lighted a candle. Heard footsteps, and proceeded downstairs. Saw the legs of a man who was getting out of a window into a passage leading to the street. The window was left partially open during the night for fresh air. The window screen produced was fastened by brass bolts, and was taken by some person from its proper place, and placed outside in the passage. It was not possible for any person to enter the window without removing the screen. The hat produced was that found in his bedroom on the night in question. George G. Morris deposed that prisoner had boarded in his house. Recognised the hat produced as one lie had in his charge for prisoner. The piece of paper produced (which was in the rim of the hat) was a piece of a periodical called "The Bible Standard," which he had seen prisoner reading. Prisoner : Can you swear to the hat ? Witness : I can swear to it. Prisoner : By its general appearance ? Witness : Yes ; I know it is your hat. Claus Joachim Ratjcn, late landlord of the Royal George Hotel, Newmarket, deposed that on the night in question ('2Stk February) prisoner came in at tea time, and remained till about 1*2.15 o'clock. Prisoner wore a hat similar to that produced. To prisoner: You and Harris left about the same time, but* I cannot say whether you left separately. Charles Morris deposed to seeing the prisoner on the night of the *2Stli February, near the Post-oilice, at Newmarket. Spoke to prisoner, and left him there. Prisoner wore a hat similar to the one produced. Detective Sullivan deposed to receiving the hat produced from Mr. Morgan. The screen produced was taken from Ml'. Morgan's house.

Georyo <>. Morris, recalled, deposed that accused took his hat and clothes away at least three months ago. Prisoner was then cautioned in the usual way, and asked if he wished to say anything with regard to the charges, to which he replied in the negative. Bloomfield was then committed for trial at the next criminal sessions of the Supreme Court. The charge against John Parker was withdrawn, the police not having sufficient evidence to so on with the cn.se, and prisoner was discharged.