The Star. WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1896.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5570, 20 May 1896, Page 2

The Star. WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1896.

THE LYTTELTON BURGLARIES.

THE ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. THIS DAY. At Lyttelton this morning, before Mr E. Beotham, S.M., Edward Robert M'Evoy, a young man aged about twenty-two years, was charged with having broken into the shop of J. W. Smith and Co. on May 1% and stolen two overcoats, neckties, handkerchiefs, kid gloves, &c, to the total value of £1 Is Id. Accuse 1 -! was undefended. Chief-Detective Henderson prosecuted. Wilford K. Smith, an assistant employed by J. W. Smith and Co., said that on the night of May 14 tho doors w;ere locked and tiie windows fastened; Went back at 8.15 on the following morning, and found that some of the stock had been disturbed. Entrance had been gained by pushing back the latch of a window with a knife. The door leadingjf roin the workroom into the showroom had two holes cut in a panel, each lai'ge enough to admit a man's hand, and the key was thus reached. aud an. 'iron bar removed. Seven sixpenny and eight penny stamps, and about 2s 6d in copper, were missing from, the desk. There were a number of burned matches about the place. Norman Taylor, en^loyed, in the clothing department, deposed to missing an overcoat, a mackintosh, three pairs of braces, twenty-three neckties, ; eight silk handkerchiefs, three caps and two pairs of kid gloves. The goods in Court he identified by the firm's private marks. The spanner and file produced were found in the shop. Detective Maddern said that on Saturday at 2 p.m., in company with Detective Marsack, he overtook the accused at the corner of Madras and Lichlield Streets, Christchurch. Witness asked accused his name, and he replied, " Wilson," but afterwards said it was M'Evoy. Accused was carrying a parcel which ho said contained his washing.- Witness foiind it contained some of the goods now produced. Accused said the, coats were at P. Cairns' shop, whence they were obtained. Richard Edmonds deposed that he was in the employ of Peter Cairns, Lower High Street, Christchurch. The accused was in the shop about 2 p.m. on Saturday. He asked permission to leave a parcel till ho went to see a friend. Saw the accused on Monday at the Police Station, and picked him out from five others. The accused, who had nothing to say, was committed to take his trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court. Accused was further charged with j having broken into the store of Messrs Rhine! and Wagstaff, and stolen therefrom the sum of 11s. Alexander Rhind deposed that he left the store at 9.15 p.m. on May 14. Was sent for early on the following morning 1 , and found that the catch of the office window .had been opened from the outside with the aid of a knife. The table-drawer had been taken out, and' 11s, in copper and small coin, stolen. Found two pieces of a file under the window. (The pieces fitted to the broken file found in Smith's shop.) T. G. Couzin3, employed by Messrs Rhind and Wagstaff, gave corroborative evidence. Evidence was also given by George Beaumont, Norman Taylor and Constable Connell. . Detective Marsack said that accused, when charged with the burglary, replied " Yes, we were in there." The accused was committed for trial on this charge also.