The Sun. — 1848-09-08 (London, England)

THE NEW FOREST PROSECU TIONS.  On Wednesday, at the Queen's House, Lyndhurst, the examinations arising out of the Government inquiries in the New Forest were continued. The magistrates were H. C. Compton, Esq., M.P., General Robbins, Mr. W. 11. Sloane Stanley, and Mr. Smith. Mr. Coxwell, of Southampton, appeared as solicitor for the Crown ; Mr. Brown, of Lymington, Mr. George Pocock, of Southampton, and Mr. Moore, of Wimborne, were for the defence.  J. Light, the timber merchant, was charged on a further information with stealing five beech trees from Busketts, in the New Forest, in December, 1846. It was proved, on the evidence of two woodmen, that a large quantity of timber had been cut in Busketts for firewood at the period in question. At the same time some large trees were felled. One of them was very large, measuring 118 feet. The prisoner's timber waggons came and carried the larger trees away, with the exception of the very large one, which they would not bear. That tree has since disappeared. None of the trees were marked by the Crown officers for sale.  On cross-examination of one of the witnesses, it appeared that the large trees were adjacent to the house of a Mr. Timpson, and that they were felled in order that he might have a better view from his windows.  The prisoner was committed. J. Reed, assistant to his father, the Deputy Surveyor of the New Forest, was then charged, together with P. Andrews, a timber merchant, Lot in custody, with stealing beech timber from Ashurst-walk. There was another charge against Mr. Reed of appropriating to his own use moneys received for fuel wood, the property of the Crown, but this was not gone into in consequence of the absence of a material witness.  Charles Holman, a young man employed by the Crown under his father, who was a foreman in the forest, deposed that he had been employed in January last to cut timber in Ashurst walk by the direction of Mr. Reed. He cut six large trees measuring altogether as much as 500 feet. Cross-examined—Mr. Reed gave no directions to him to cut the trees. He had not heard him give such directions. He only understood he had done so. The Crown Solicitor admitted that in consequence of the absence of a material witness, and the effect of this cross-examination, he was unable to carry the case further. lie proposed to apply for a remand, but Mr. Brown, on the prisoner's behalf, said he would at once consent that the prisoner should be bound over to appear at the sessions to answer any charge that might be brought against him. The magistrates consented, and the prisoner was admitted to bail accordingly. [lt is understood that the circumstance to which the failure of the Crown in this and other cases is attributed, is the attempt of an important witness to commit suicide. The party lies in a very dangerous state, and is quite unable to give any evidence.] G. Bowles, a keeper in the forest, and J. Coles, a wheelwright (both of whom were charged with timber stealing last week, when the cases were dismissed), were again charged with stealing five oak -trees from Boldre Wood-walk, in March or April, 1847.  _ . The Solicitor for Coles applied that the cases should be heard separately, Bowles being a very ma• tenet witness for his client.  The Crown Solicitor opposed the application, and intimated, moreover, that be should go into evidence as to several distinct transactions. _  The Solicitor for Bowles hoped the Court would insist upon the evidence being confined to the one charge that had been opened. The magistrates did not acquiesce in either application on behalf of the prisoner. W. Hayter, parish clerk of (sorely, deposed that he had frequently carried timber for Coles. On the 22d of April, 1847, Coles engaged him to send a waggon and team of four horses for timber to Boldre Wood Lodge (Bowles's residence). Once before, namely, on the 13th of March, in the same year, Coles engaged him to go to Bowles's for the same purpose. Once in the present year, namely, on the 9th of June, 1848, he had also gone to Bowles's for timber by Coles's desire. Mr. Coles paid him for going upon each occasion. T. Hayter, carter to the last witness, deposed that he had been to Boldre Wood on several different occasions for timber. In March, 1847, he wont with four horses for " a stick." Saw Mr. Bowles, who told him to take it up and deliver it to Mr. Coles. It was a large stick. In April, 1847, he went again. Saw Mr. Bowles, who pointed out two trees. Witness took them by his directions, and dropped them in front of Coles's house. This year he had been once, and taken two trees and a piece also by Mr. Bowles's directions. Bowles and Coles were together upon that occasion. Part of the tree he had taken upon that occasion was now in a waggon outside the court.  (A. large waggon load of fine timber seized at Coles's was drawn up outside the Queen's House.) Cross• examined—Took the timber along the public road in broad daylight, and dropped it in a public place. H. Wareham, apprentice to Mr. Coles, deposed that Hayter had frequently been in the habit of bringing timber to Mr. Coles's, and that he remembered his having brought trees there last year and this year. Had assisted to work up this timber. Part of the timber was in Coles's yard that morning, and had been brought over to the court that day. Other portions had been used in Coles's trade. Parts had been used in Bowles's cottage ; part in fencing Ellingham-churchyard. This case was proceeding when the last train left, the court had been sitting throughout the day.