Criminal Sittings.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4880, 20 February 1894, Page 3

Criminal Sittings.

Monday, Feb. 19. (Before his Honor Mr Justice Denniston.) BUBGLABT. John Henry Arthur Lonsdale was sentenced to two years' impiisonment with hard labour. ASSAtTLT AND BOBBEBT. George M'Kenzie and Albert Payne were charged that they did, on Dec. 13, 1893, assault William Lawrie and steal from his person the sum of £3. Mr Donnelly appeared for the prisoners, both of whom pleaded " Not guilty." Mr Stringer opened the case for the Crown, He Baid that it would be shown that Lawrie had come into Christchurch from the country with some money, and had spent somo time in company with the two prisoners. Evidence would bo given by two eye-witnesses to the effect tbat in the evening, in Manchester Street, one of the prisoners had tripped up Lawrie, and that the other had abstracted three sovereigns from his pocket. Evidence was given for the prosecution by W. Lawrie, P. O'Malley, Robert Elliott, J. Barkle and M. O'Connor. ' Mr Donnelly opened the case for the defence, and called Alfred Jennet, who deposed that he had seen Lawrie receive £i in sovereigns from Burkes Hotel, and had noticed him change a sovereign in the bar. He changed two other sovereigns at different hotels dozing the day and spent money freely. Lawrie oould not have had three sovereigns on the evening they were alleged to have been stolen from him. Charles Fricker, fruiterer at the corner of Tuam and Manchester Streets, deposed that hiß shop, aB a rule, was open between 10 and 11 o'clock, and well lighted up. The rays of light would penetrate down to the Chinaman.) boarding-house [where the alleged assault and robbeiy took place] and right across the road. j B. Simpßon, tobacconist in High Street, 1 deposed that Payne had visited his Bhop a ! day or two before he had seen an account ] of the robbery, accompanied with another - man. ' Florence Weaton, a single woman, deposed that Lawrie had applied to her for money before the robbery had taken place. He had asked her for sixpences and shillings to get meals about two weeks before the case in the Magistrate's Court. Alfred Payne gave evidence on his own behalf, and stated that he was in Burkes Hotel for about five minutes on the night of the robbery. Saw Lawrie and some i others there. Had no drink from Lawrie \ at all. Went out with James Forsyth ' upon seeing Lawrie fighting, and went i down to Simpson's tobacconist's Bhop. Did j not take Lawrie down Manchester Street and rob him. Lawrie had accused him of taking bis money from him in Burkes Hotel. Did not admit it at all. Lawrie said that he did not like being taken down at a game of his own. Had tried to find the man Forsyth, but the subpoenas had not reached him, and he was not in attendance. George M'Kenzie gave evidence on his j own behalf, and deposed that he was not j in Manchester Street ou the night of ' Dec. IE, and that he did not trip up Lawrie or rob him. Did not see Payne during the ' evening after leaving him at Burkes Hotel. s Mr Donnelly addressed the jury, and was followed by Mr S'.ringer. His Honor summed up, and the jury ! retired at 7.40 p.m., returning after a short j deliberation with a verdict of not guilty, j