The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-02 00:00:00

THE GOLD BULLION ROBBERY.

FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE
PRISONERS.
MANSION-HOUSE-(THIS D AY .)

The two men named Burgess and Pierce, charged
with being concerned in the daring robbery of gold
bullion on the Sonth-Eastern Railway in Ma!, 18E5,
were again placed at the bar before the Lord Mayor for
further examination.

His Lordship, in order that no delay might arise in
proceeding with the ease, sat half an hour earlier than
usual for the displral of the ordinary ❑ight charges•

Since the last examination a brass wire fence or screen
has been erected at the back of the dock between where
a prisoner stands and the public, which prevents any
communication with the prisoner without being instantly
detected. On the last occasion a serious charge was made
against a man named Dackombe, livery-stable keeper,
of Lower Mitcham. It was stated by a witness, but
denied by Duckombe, that Pierce said to him—" Make
'way with them—destroy them," which it was
supposed referred to something connected with
the charge. The public interest appears to increase
as the case proceeds, and, as on the three former occa-
sions, a large crowd of persons congregated around the
Mansion-house.

Tester, late a clerk in the superintendent's office,
implicated in this affair, is not yet in custody. It will
be recollected that he left the company's service some
months since, and ii at present engaged on one of the
Swedish railways. Sergeant Thornton, and another
detective officer who has charge of the case, left this
country on Friday last and proceeded to Sweden, but
it is feared that, as no treaty of extradition exists
between the two countries, that some difficulty and
delay will arise in apprehending him. Saward, alias
the " barrister," continues to elude the vigilance of the

police.
Mr. Bodkin, iustruated by Mr. Rees, appeared for the
prosecution ; Mr. Wontner for Pierce ; and Mr. Lewis,
Ely-place, for Burgess.
Several of the directors and officials of the South-
Eastern Railway Company were present during the
examination.

At half-past one o'clock, the prisoners were placed at

the bar.

Mr. Bodkin said that the prosecution had ascertained
that for certain Tester would be in custody and placed
at the bar on the next examination. On a former occa-

sion he suggested that this should be only a formal exa-
mination, because he believed it would be a saving of
much valuable time, but the advisers of the prisoners
objected to it, and he thought it advisable to fall
in with their views. He was now prepared to go on
with the case, and should call evidence to trace the Bank
of England notes, and also certain articles found in
Pierce's house.

The Lord Mayor said he thought that, after the state-
ment made by Mr. Bodkin with reference to Tester,
that it would be nanch better to further remand the pri-
soners till next Monday; or, if they went on to-day, not
to take evidence to affect Tester, because, when he was
in custody, it would have to be gone all over again.

Mr. Bodkin said it would be impracticable to take the
evidence as suggested.
Mr. Wontner said that he should have no objection
to a remand, provided Mr. Bodkin could assure him
that Tester would be in custody by the next exaeaina-
tion.

Mr. Bodkin said it was impossible for him to give
such a promise.
Mr. Lewis asked if Tester was now in custody in
Sweden?
137 Mr. Bodkin—No.

Mr. Lewis—Then we shall gain nothing by the ad-
journment.

Mr. Bodkin—The government of Sweden has inter-
fered in the matter to a certain extent, and we have the
strongest grounds for believing that Tester is in custody.
Mr. Lewis asked how the Swedish government had
interfered or could interfere in the matter?
Mr. Bodkin—They could interfere, either by appre-
hending him, or by preventing his leaving their juris-
diction.

It was ultimately arranged that the further examina-
tion of the prisoners should be adjourned.
Mr. Lewis complained that Burgess had not sufficient
exercise in the gaol, and that his health suffered in con-
sequence.

The Lord Mayor said the prisoners should have every
facility given them for exercise that the accommodation
of the gaol afforded.
Mr. Bodkin thea called the following formal evidence.
Mr. C. Bessell, who proved that his wife died on the
18th of May, when he resided at Shepherd's-bush.
(This evidence was given to confirm .tbe statement of
Agar, Fanny Kay, and the servant girl, relative to what
occurred about that time.)

Mr. P. Long, No. 5, Crown-terrace, Haverstock-hill,
said Pierce lived with him. He took the lodgings on
Dec. 18th, 1854, and remained there until the 18th of
June, 1855. Witness received rent from him, and from
his appearance he believed him to be in very prosperous
circumstances. He paid witness very well, generally by
instalments. He paid about 131. altogether. On the
21st of May he owed 31. 10s., which he afterwards paid,
and cleared up everything before he left.
Mr. John Carter, of 14, Upper James'-street, Camden-
town, said he was a beer retailer. The prisoner Pierce
rented a house of him, No. 3, Crown-terrace, and entered
into possession on 4th of June, 1855. His engagement
was from the 18th June, but he entered it before. He
remained there about 12 months. The prisoner Pierce
was the person of whom he spoke. He then wore his
hair much shorter than now. .

Mr. John Charles Rees, the solicitor to the prosecu-

tion, deposed tbat, in consequence of information that
he bad received, be proceeded on 22d of September last
to No. 3, Cambridge-villas. There were two storeys to
the house, and he described the number of the rooms
and the general appearance of the house, particu-
larly that of the wash-house in the garden, and which
agreed with that of former witnesses. He examined the
fire-place in the front room of the first floor. He had it
taken out and discovered three fire-bricks, and between
them a piece of iron was found. The chimneys were also
examined. They were perfectly white and calcined
The flooring boards in front of the fire-place were exa-
mined, and found to be burnt in various places. They
were such marks as me al in a fluid state were likely to
produce. On the next day the boards were taken up,
and beneath them he discovered a quantity of small
particles of gold, which witness produced. The par-
ticles corresponded in size with the cracks in the fhor.
He had not had them tested.
Cross-examined by Mr. Wontner—There was no
mortar in the chimney, and the bricks seemed to have
been calcined. That might be a curious description of
chimney, but he did not know. He was a judge of gold
but not of chimneys
By Mr. Lewis—He had found such a hole on the
premises as described by Agar, but he found no gold
there. He sent for Burgess, whe came to his chambers
last Good Friday, to be examined about the rob-
bery. He did riot tell him it would be bet-
ter for him if he would disclose all he '
knew about the robbery. He fixed on that day
on being a quiet one. He did not mention to
him to the best of his belief the Secretary of States
name, and that he might obtain a pardon. He certainly
did not use the Secretary of States name in the sense
conveyed by Mr. Lewis's questions. Nothing was said
that if he would make a disclosure of the robbery he
should go free. The general effect of his answers was
that " he knew nothing and had nothing to disclose."
Witness did not reply to him, " You had better tell me
and I will apply to the Secretary of State." Witness
took down some of the prisoners statements, but had
not got it with him ; he doubted if he had that exami-
nation by him now.
By Mr. Bodkin—At that time he had had no commu-
nication with Agar. He examined others as well as Bur,
gess. He found no gold in Pierce's house, but he found
a hole there, as described by Agar, where the gold was
deposited. The hole had been recently filled up with
dust, amongst which was some green fresh-looking
leaves.
By Mi. Lewis—Did you tell Burgess that you had no
authority from the directors, but that you would use
your influence and secure him if he would disclose every-
thing.
Witness—No.
Burgess—Are you on your oath, Mr. Rees ?
Mr. Rees—Yes.
The prisoner was desired to remain silent.
Burgess—l can stand here and hear many things but
this is too much. It was when Hall (one of the supposed
receivers of tb.egole),was in custody.

Mr. Rees—Yes.
By Mr. Bodkin—Burgess persisted in saying he knew
nothing about it.
Emma May, of 18, London-street, Greenwich, domes-
tic servant to Mr. Olding, said, she formerly lived at the
Marquis of Granby public-house, New•cross. She
identified the prisoners, described two others, supposed
to be Totter and Agar, as using the house about the
time of the robbery. They used to go into the bar
parlour. She had seen them there many times. When
the parlour was full they went into the next room. They
used to come about 7 or 8 o'clock in the evening.
Sometimes they came between 11 and 12 in the morn-
ing. She saw them there a short time before they left
(two years come February next).
By Mr. Wontner—The room they used when the
bar parlour was full was a public one.
By Mr. Lewis—The Marquis of Granby was near
Burgess's residence. He frequently used to be alone.
He used to mix with the public generally.
By Mr. Bodkin—When he came alone he used to say,
" Emma, are my friends come ?" She replied, if they
were there, "Yes," and he joined Pierce and the other
two.

Mr. Bodkin said that that was all the evidence he
proposed then to give.
The prisoners were then remanded till Wednesday
(to•morrow) week.