RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3257, 5 March 1885, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

TlMAßU— Wednesday, Mabch 4th. (Before H. H. Hennah and W. G. Rees, Esqs, J.P.'s. HOrSBBBEAKING. Patrick Ryan was charged on remand with that he did, on the 15th March, 1884, at the Washdyke, feloniously break and enter the dwelling-house of one Maurice McSheeby Gentlemun, and steal therefrom one silver hunting -watch, value £4, one £5 note, and two £1 notes, two half-sovereigns and 17a 6d m silver, the property of one Michael Shea. Inspector Broham conducted the prosecution ; accused was undefended. The following evidence was taken : — Michael Shea : I am a laborer, and on the 15th March, 1884, I was living with Gentlemun at the Washdyke, m a two-roomed cottage. On the morning of the 15th I left the cottage between five and six o'clock, the door and . windows of which were safely fastened. My watch was lying m my room, and the money, consisting of notes, gold and silver, amounting to £8 17s 6d, was m my trousers pocket, also mmy room. I returned to the cottage about ten o'clock at night ; found the door partly open, and the watch and money gone. (Watch produced and identified by the number and some dents on the case.) I know accused, who was m the habit of going to the cottage. M. McS. Gentletuun, a farmer, living at the Washdyke, said he left the house with the first witness- on the 15th. March, but did not return that day. He saw Shea next day, and ho complained about losing certain articles. Witness knew Eyan, who knocked about the house. Detective Kirby said Shea had complained to him m March, 1884, about losing certain things. On the 18th February witness searched Rjan's house, and m his bedroom found a piece of newspaper on which was written, m accused's handwriting; the number of the watch stolen from Shea. On the morning following, m company with Constable Sheehan, witness made a further search and found tho watch (produced) under the roof of the pantry. He subsequently arrested the prisoner for the present offence. This was the case. Accused was then charged with that he did, on the 15th March, enter into Gentlemun's house and steal therefrom one gold albert chain, one American two and a half dollar piece, one gold-mounted greenstone pendant, one sealskin purse and one gold ring, of a total value of £6 ; also, six £1 notes and one half-sovereign, the property of M. McS. Gentlemun. The evidence m this case was similar to that m the above, with the exception that Gentlemun said he missed the articles on tho 16th March on returning home, and Detective Kirby said ho found the articles m boxes underneath the house. Accused wa3 then further charged with, that he did on the 31st January, 1885, at .the Washdyke, feloniously break and enter into the dwelling-house of M. McS. Gentlemun and steal a coat, trousers and vest and one pair of braces, value £4 10s, the property of Michael Shea. Michael Shea, m evidence, said he left Gentleman's house on the evening of the 31st about seven o'clock, after locking un the place, and did not return home again till 11 o'clock. He then found that the staple the padlock of the door had been fastened to had been drawn out, the cottage entered, and that the goods set out m the information had been stolen. The clothes were produced and identified, the witness adding that "'P.R," and some figures " 100 " and " 12 " on them i had been put on'since they were stolen. M. McS. Gentlemun gave corroborative evidence, and Mr Drummond, of Messrs Drummond and Glasaon, proved to selling Shea the clothes, the marks on which were not there when sold. Detective Kirby said that on the morning of the 18th February he searched accused's house, and m his bedroom found the braces, and underneath the floor the clothes (produced). He charged accused with stealing them, to which he replied that he had purchased the suit of clothes. Accused was then committed to take his trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court here, on the three charges. The Court at 12.30 adjourned.