Swansea Journal and South Wales Liberal. — 1895-09-14 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

THE ROBBERY ON THE STRAND. Prisoners Committed for Trial.  At the Swansea Police-court, on Monday— before J. Coke Fowler (Stipendiary), Simon Goldberg and Lawrence Tulloch, Esqrs.— William Reno wden, 158, Llangyfelach-road, Thomas Lerwell, Wm. John McAdams, Poppetthill ; John Norris, 9, Thomas-street; and James Kelly, 17, Rodney-street, were brought up on remand charged with stealing 2s. 711,(1. from Samuel Harris, a seaman, in the Strand, on the 4th. inst. On the last hearing the prisoners were remanded for the purpose of gaining further evidence as to identification. The case then was somewhat weak against . Norris, who questioned the witnesses with a view of fixing him as not being one of the men present. each of whom, however, were unable to state definitely that he was there. The evidence given at the former hearing was read over, and the prisoners were asked to plead. Renowden made a long statement to the effect that be was in Lerwell's company all the evening; that they were in the Strand in the evening, and heard some shouting, but they did not see anything of the complainant. —McAdam said that be was taken for the wrong man.-Tee Stipendiary said he was of opinion that the evidence was insufficient against Lerwell, Norris, and Kelly, and they were accordingly liberated. McAdanis then called Lerwell, who said that he saw McAdams near the High street railway station, and asked what be was doing there he said he was waiting for the train to come in so that he might have a hobble. Questioned by Captain Colquhoun, Lerwell said he was on the Strand on Wednesday night last. His attention was called to the shouts of a man calling "Murder." On going to the spot he saw three men running away. Their names were Kelly, Casey, and Walters. Witness came up to them near Messrs. Parry and Rocke's factory, and be heard one of the men say that he had only got 4d., and that they were going to the club to drink it. Walter Walters, a young man, was called, and said he was in McAdams company the whole of the evening in question, and that be could not have been present at the ,time of the , robbery. He narrated with much minuteness the arrest of his companion by P.C. Cross, and caused some laughter.—When McAdams was asked by the constable what he was doing out so late, what did McAdams reply ?" asked Mr. Jenkin Jones. Witness, with a naughty twinkle in his eye, exclaimed, "McAdams said he was giving the fleas a chance, sir." Geo. McAdams was also called on behalf of . his brother, and he supported his elder .brother's contention that he -Tag not in the Strand at the time of the robbery. McAdams had yet another witness to call, and she was no other. than Miss Rogers, familiarly known in her walks of life as "Mad t Maggie." She swore that McAdams was .with her from $ o'clock until 11. a. She then left him, and was in the course of an hour or so afterwards, locked up, The prisoners McAdams and Renowden were then committed for trial. McAdams appealed to the Bench for bail, as he had a wife and two children and he did not know what would become of them if he was in prison the whole of the time awaiting his trial. The Stipendiary said that he would consider the matter.  The usual weekly meeting of the 'Swansea Incorporated Metal Exchange was hola at the Royal Institution of South Wales on Tuesday afternoon. There was a large attendance of members, including many gentlemen who, through absence from home, have not been able to put in an appearance for some time past. The business transacted was, however, of an unimportant character, and though most of the works were reported to be going, the greatest difficulty is being experienced in getting orders at remunerative prices, and the outlook continues to be anything but hopeful: The Swansea Harbour Trust returns show that there were received: from works last week 62,448 boxes as against 79,637 boxes the previous week, and 72,328 the corresponding week of last year. The total shipments of tinplates last week were 52,892 boxes against 92,526 boxes the previous week, and 72,453 the corresponding week of last year. The stocks now stand at 122,155 boxes against 112,599 boxes at the end of last week, and 311,853 the corresponding week of last year. There are vessels now loading for tinplates Baltimore, Genoa, Leghorn, Lisbon and 'Operto. Several other boats are expected next week. Three men were asphyxiated at Roehelee, whilst eleanin gout a cess-pool, and a fourth in trying to rescue his comiade's had himself a 'Arrow