SUPREME COURT.—CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1033, 16 September 1871, Page 10

SUPREME COURT.— CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

"Wr.lO'E'aDAY, (itll Srj'TKMIU'.K. (Before His Honour Mr Justice Chapman.) ALLIXJr.D AllnOX. The trial of F. W. Reiehclt, on the charge of having set fire to his shop in Princesstrcet, was continued. Mr James Smith prosecuted ; and Mr Barton, with whom wtis Mr Stout, defended the accused. The following witnesses were called by counsel for the prosecution: — J. F. Miller, Moray Place, T. 8. Mitchell, and Ucorgo Chapman, a compositor employed at the Daily Times oilice. The latter, who had not given evidence in the case previously, said : 1 Avas in Rattray street when the tircbell rung on the morning of the tire. I had just left the Daily Times office. It Avas about tAventy minutes past tAvo o'clock in the morning when I was in Rattr.iy street. Just before the lire bell rung 1 met a man in Itattray street. At that time I Avas about thirty yards above the steps. 1 did not see him coming towards me. 1 became aAvare of his presence by hearing him breathe heavily as if he had been walking or running fast for some time. I had a mulller Avrappcd round my neck at the time, the night being cold. The mulHer also covered one of my eyes Avhich Avas sore. Directly I became aA\are of the presence of another person I took the muffler off my eye. I was surprised to inul a person so close to me. I turned round to see Avho it Avas, but he ran past me. 1 lost sight of the man Avhen he got near North and Secular's shop. I cannot say Avhether he turned the corner and Avent along Maclaggan street. I I hail not heai'd the fire bell up to that moment. I had Avalked fifty yards further up Eattray street before I heard it. Cross-ex-amined by Mr Barton : ] Avas A'ory much surprised Avhen I found that a person Avas so near to me at that hour in the morning. I thought he might be a robber or something of the sort. One of my eyes Avas sore. 1 could see well enough Avith the other eye. Why did I jmll otl" my muiller 'i Because 1 Avas surprised to see a person so near to me, ami. of course, I could see better Avith two eyes than one, Mr Barton : Noav, Mr Chapman, Aye don't want to knoAV Avhat you. might have done ; you might be able to balance a stick on the end of your nose. youknoAv; but tell us Avhat you really did sue. Witness : I so,a\- a person near me. The Avind awos in my face, and I loAvered my head. After the man passed on, I pulled off my hat, as avcll *as my muffler. I could not see Avhether he went along Maclaggan street. I wondered, at the time, Avhat he Ava<? running for. I afterAvards Avent to the Bell Tower. I am giving evidence because 1 haA-e been subpoenaed. lam not a spiritualist. 1 happened to state in the presence of Mitchell something similar to what I have said today. When Commissioner Weldon sent for me, I made a statement in Avriting. There Avas a little Avind on the morning of the lire. T looked to ascertain if any other person Avas near. lam ahvays watchful when I pass along that and other dark parts of the road. The other Avitnesses examined Avere Con-s-table Hmlgkins, Sergeant O'Keefe, Mr Baxter (avlio since the lire took place resigned his position as a member of the Police Force), Inspector Thompson, Serjeant Baxter, Constables Turnbull, Coffey, and O'Jioiuighue, Sergeant Watson (of the <la»l), Detective Farrell. The latter gaA-e evidence respecting the discovery of the goods which had been taken from the premises of the accused by an expressman mentioned, and handed over to Ooldaminer> Farrell, so he stated, asked GoMammer "where the goods Avere. Farrell produced a ihunmy search Avarrant ; Goldammer said he had not got the goods there, but took Farrell to the place Arhere they were, and the latter obtained possession of them. The only other witness examined was E. K. Murray, confectioner.