SUPREME COURT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11059, 22 September 1903, Page 6

SUPREME COURT.

, . Aftet Sve went to press yesterday ,e v visence in.thp.paae against, Annie .Harwood of tfie allegbd" theft' of <£59 from John McKinley .at Moawhango,. was continued. Cross-exariiined by Mr Cohen, John McKinley • .paid, that- Jae .had always thought Mirs Harwood was a respectable , woman. Did not -remember telling anyone that *h$ h,ad -given £5 to- someone. Could ' swear positively thafe he put the money in his left-hand trousers pocket. Evidence was, also given by Alex. McLennan and Cpnstable Baiker, - and .the depositions'- of ' Houston were read. 'fhis concluded the case for the Crown. After- opening his case for the defence, Mr Cohen called • Annie Harwood,who t>aid she knew Houston^'McKiiiley, and McLennan, who .were boarders, at- iher boardinghouse. ■ On 1 the Friday in question witness 'took a jug of soup. to Mr Houston, who was unwell. Was not ajvare till she arrived at Houston's - ■ house, that ir had other occupants. Hous- * tonkas, in «■ stupid state, lying on his bed. J^cKinley^was lying helplessly drunk on the floor in. the doorway of Houston's bedroqm and jkitchen. McLennan, who was •the worse^f, .drink, was sitting on a box. McLennan; .asked witness for the soup. She ■ told jblnuto go to her house, where he would get some.- Witness then went into the' kitchen to ligfht a fire. McLennan said, "Good — '—, look where the man (McKinley) is keeping his. money." The money was sticking out of McKinley's top-coat breast pocket. Witness and McLennan counted the notes, and McLennan then put them in his breast pocket. Witness said: ' I'ou had better let me keep them; you are -. hardly in i a condition to have so much money." He said, "Oh, you don't think, I am a man like that?" Houston then asked witness to .look for his .purse, which he •Kai' lost:' Witness found itf in his bedroom. When witness arrived at her home she found McLennan there, partaking of some soup. On. Saturday morning witness asked McLennan if he still had "Old Jack's" moneys - and he replied in the affirmative. On -JjJundav; morning Houston asked witness where "Old Jack's" money was, and she said she .knew who had it. Constable Baker's evi'd6tice was substantially correct. - 'Had'zindriy times held in trust money for people. ■ Witness did 'admit to the constable that she took the money. She meant that she had taken it and counted it in • Houston's house. She was crying and did •not -know" what she might have said. Alexander Jardine and William Parker also gave evidence. • ■. counsel had addressed the jury and His Honor ,had summed up, the jury retired for 3, short ' time "and returned with a verdict of not guilty, and the accused was accordingly discharged. The verdict was received with acclamation on the part of the spectators. This was promptly suppressed. His Honor ordered the arrest of a member of the audience whom he noticed applauding. The ofPender was soundly lectured, and dischargei,with a caution. The court then adjourned till next morn- ' ing * '■ ■ -