BREAKING AND ENTERING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2308, 29 September 1908, Page 2

BREAKING AND ENTERING.

AMERICAN .SEAMAN PLEADS GUILTY.

A young man named John Gourley Moncur, alias liuberton, alias AA’illiams, said to be a seaman from the American fleet, appeared before Air. W. A. Barton, i-LAL, yesterday charged with breaking and entering the dwelling of Airs. AI. E. Stephenson, at Alatawhero, on September 23rd, ayd -stealing £3 2s 6d. Alary Elliott Stephenson, wife of \V. F. Stephenson, Alatawhero, deposed t-liat on tho 23rd hist, she left home at 11 -a.m. and returned at 5 p.m., her daughter, Airs. Grayson, being left in the house. In consequence of what she heard on -her return, witness went into her bedroom and missed three handbags. One bag contained two £1 .notes and a sovereign, and another contained .her purse, with 2s 6d in it. The bags were discovered half-an-hour later in the dairy, cut open, and the money missing.* Two of the drawers of the chest of drawers and all tho dressing table drawers were open, and the contents scattered about.

Edward Thompson, drover, stated, that oil the 23rd he saw accused at 3 p.m. at the Alatawhero hotel. He came up and asked witness if he could work -for two or three weeks for nothing, as he had no money. Witness asked where -he came from and what his occupation was, and accused replied that he was off the fleet. Air. Aislabie told accused he might get a job'at Mrs. Stpphenson’s and witness took him along and he told him to go round to the back door. Witness heard some music in the house -as lie went away.

Nora Grayson, music teacher, residing at Alatawhero, deposed that on the 23rd iust. she closed all the doors m the -house while she was playing the piano. There was nobody else at home at the time. AA’itness heard a sound -and expected somebody to come into the room where she was, but as nobody came in she thought she must have made a mistake. AVhen she came out about 3.15 she found the back door open. About 4 p.m. she went into Airs. Stepheson’s bedroom and found several of tlie drawers open and ransacked.

Sydney James Kirby, stableman, employed at the Royal o<lk hotel, Alatawhero, gave evidnece (hat accused went to the stables between 1.30 and 2 p.m. and offered to sell him a blanket, saying he was stranded and had no money. AVitness said he did not want the blanket, and accused asked him to give him a couple of “bob.” To His Worship: Accused had had a few drinks, but was not under influence of liquor. , j Annie Alary ~Williamson, barmaid at the R-oyal -Oak hotel, gave eviji&nce that accused cimej to the hotel on the 23rd inst. betwejen 3.30 and 4 p.m. She had seen hihi previously in the hall of the hotel between 1 and 2 p.m. AVhen he came: the second time -accused asked witness for a long beer, and tendered 2s Gd: ill payment. Accused liad another drink after that, and asked if lie was too late for dinner, and she said he wasj but offered to get him something to eat. Accused refused, saying lie did not want it. He asked if all the coaches had gone to town, and witness said they had. Accused then said he would ask someone for a lift. She saw him stop a man who was driving along, and asked him for a lift. The man refused, and accused offered him 2s to take him- as far as Alakaraka, and the man took it.

Reginald Henry Image .storekeeper, Matwliero, stated he saw accused in his yard about 3.30 on the 23rd inst. Accused asked |kim if there were coaches going into town before the train. Witness told him there were not, and lie had better walk along, and he would he bound to get a -lift. Accused said liis feet were so blistered he could not walk much. Witness asked him where- he had come from, and lie replied be had come from the Motu. In further reply to witness accused said lie had been hushfelling there. They had cut out, and made -about 25s a week. Ho seemed anxious to got into town, and asked when a boat was going south. Witness said there was one that night and accused said he would give him 5s to drive him in. Detective Rawle stated that at 7 p.m. on the 23rd inst. Sorgt. Hutton, ■and he arrested accused at the wharf. Upon searching him witness found a £1 note, also a steerage passenger ticket from Gisborne to Napier in tlio name of Thompson. He also had Ss in silver. When charged with the present offence accused made no reply. Accused was not away from Gisborne between the Sth and the 22ml September. On the morning of the 24th witness mentioned to accused that the next sitting of the Supremo Court here would be in March next, and the accused said to go right through with the case us he would plead guilty. Accused pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court at Auckland ' for sentence. Bail was allowed himself in £IOO and two sureties of £SO each.

Upon the application of Sergeant Hutton an order was made for the restitution of the recovered property to ' Mrs. Stephenson.