CITY POLICE COUKT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8021, 5 November 1887, Page 4

CITY POLICE COUKT.

Friday, Novembeb 4.

(Before Messrs T. M. Wilkinson, J. F.Jones

and F. Wilkinson, J,.P's.)

BnnoLAßT.—James Marshall was charged with feloniously breaking into the warehouse of Robert'Cleland, Bond street, and stealing therefrom 501b of rabbitskins of the value of £2 18s 4d. —The accused was not defended.—Chief Detective Henderson said that this was a premeditated and well-planned case of housebreaking. Complainant was a dealer in rabbitskins, and he had two storemen (James Smith and John Kerr) and an office boy named Joseph Wost. For some days past the accused had been coming to Mr Cleland's store and selling small quantities of rabbitskins. On Thursday morning accused was there conversing with Smith, and saw him hang up his coat and vest and put the key of the store in his waistcoat pocket. The accused was seen by the office lad to go to the clothes and tamper with them. In the afternoon the accused came back again, and he was seen by storeman Kerr with a key in his hand Shortly afterwards Kerr saw the key lying near Kerr's clothes. There was no doubt the accused stole the key to get a duplicate made. Smith, Kerr, and Detective Maddern went into the office and locked themselves in with the key in the lock. They waited, expecting that the accused would come some time during the night. At eight minutes past 5 on that (Friday) morning the accused entered with his key. He tried to get into the office, but pould noj. He went upstairs got a bale of rabtatskras and pitched themont of a window on to the ground. When he oame down the stair he was pounced oh. He had another key made by Mr Henry for the office door. —Robert Cleland stated that he had seen the accused frequently about the place selling skins. —William C. Smith, storeman, deposed that accused was standing at the door when he opened the premises on Thursday morning. Witness opened the door and put the key in his waistcoat pocket. He took his coat and vest off, and hung them up inside the store. He went up to the loft, and was out of sight of his clothes. Accused came up and asked about rabbitskins, and went down again. About 4 o'clock/he went in and borrowsd two empty bags. He wanted the bags to bring skins from the Peninsula. Kerr said, " Will, where is the key ?" and he searched his pocket and found it was gone. He entered the premises for the purpose of watching on the previous (Thursday) night, with Detective Maddern and the storeman. At 10 minutes past son Friday morning accused entered the store with his key, and locked the door after him. He tried to get into the office, but it was locked and tho key was on the inside. The accused then went upstairs to tho store, where there was a large quantity of loose skins lying about the floor. He oould hear him walking about. After 20 minutes he heard the window riße and heard a noise as if something had been thrown out of the window. Accused then came downstairs, and when within a step of the door Maddern, Kerr, and himself stopped him. Maddern told him he had been waiting for him since 12 o'clock. Accused said," This i« a

nice!mess I have got into." He said, "It is your own doing."—To the Bench: He saw the koy last at 8 o'clock, and Kerr found it between ■I and 5, after the accused went away By Detective Henderson: He saw him searched by the detective, who found two keys.—Joseph West, the office boy, gave evidence as to seeing the accused at the store about half-past 8 or 9 o'clock on Thursday morning. He was dusting the office, and saw the accused standing near the clothes. He was touching and handling them.—By the Bench: He did not see him take

anything out of the pockets, but he saw him feeling about the waistcoat.—John Kerr gave confirmatory evidence in several particulars, and stated further that when the accused came back in the afternoon he was about three feet from the clothes. He noticed a key in his hand, and saw him drop it. There were some pieces of bag on the floor, and the key did not make a noise. When accused had gone he picked up the key, thinking it was his. He asked Smith if ho had got his key, and he felt in his pocket and said he had lost it. He gave himthe key. Witness had been in the habit of carrying the key, and accused knew it. There was a brass ring in the middle, and M'Carthy's name was on it. He confirmed the previous witness as to watching the premises. There would be about half a hundredweight in the bag, and its value would amount to between £3 and £4. It would be worth about Is 4d or Is 6d per lb. —By accused: The_ door he tried led to both the office and downstairs.—Chas. Henry, locksmith, deposed that he made two keys for the accused.— Detective Maddern deposed that from instructions received he went to the store at half-past 8 on Thursday night. He testified as to what occurred in regard to the watching. When they heard the steps coming downstairs, the three of them went out of the office. He saw the accused at the door. Witness said "You are here very early this morning. You will be charged with breaking and entering." He asked , him how he got in, and at the same time he pat the handcuffs on him as he was speaking. He told him," I arrest you for breaking into this establishment." ■ He remarked " I must bemad, or foolish or something." Witness asked him how he got in, and he made no reply. He asked him whero were the keys, and prisoner said " Take off my handcuffs, and I will take them out of my pocket." Witness took them out of his pocket, and tried them. Accused said "I will get six months for this." Witness said it was a very serious charge, and he might get a heavy sentence. Accused said " I suppose my wife will leave me altogether now."—Accused on being charged in the usual way made no statement.— He was committed for trial.

Ap Abandoned Woman.—Margaret Thomas, alias Macdonald, was charged with having insufficient lawful means of support—Defendant pleaded Guilty.—Sergeant-major Bevin said this was one of those incorrigible women who baunted the Chinese dens when she was out of prison. There were 3everal letters and complaints. There were 29 previous convictions recorded against her.—Accused saic she had no> means of getting a living. She would go to the refuge.—Sergeant-major Bevin said she had been to the refuge, and would not stay there.--She was committed to gaol for two months. .

Throwing- Stones.—A boy named" Patriot Mason was charged with throwing stones.—He pleaded Guilty.—The Bench convicted the boy, to come up for sentence when called on. Bye-law Case.—John Withers was fined 2s 6d and costs for allowing a horse to wander afc Ravensbourne. A DonuTFtjii Stobt.—Annie Carrington summoned Thomas O'Conner for assaulting her.— Mr D. M. Stuart appeared for the defendant.— The Complainant alleged that accused kicked her and was indecent to her.. She said it was about 11 o'clock on Sunday night.—Mr Stuart saiathe thing was a fraud, and that it occurred at 1.10 in the morning.—Sergeant Mulville said it wis about 1 o'clock in the morning. The woman was an associate of the worst characters. The defendant was a very industrious man, but ratheir inclined to drink.—The case was dismissed.