[stealing]

R. v. Lloyd, Adams and Lynch

Supreme Court of Van Diemen's Land
Pedder C.J., 6 May 1829
Source: Colonial Times, 8 May 1829[1]

On Wednesday last, James Lloyd, Thomas Adams, and ---- Lynch, were put upon their trial, in the Supreme Court, charged with abstracting some pine boards, the property of the Crown. After two days trial, and the examination of several witnesses, Lloyd and Adams were found guilty, and Lynch acquitted.
It appears that Lloyd held a confidential situation in the Commissariat Department for nine years past, and gave much satisfaction to the Commissariat Officers, who all came forward, including Mr. MOODIE[2] himself, to give him the best possible character. His conviction, after the characters he received, and from what we ourselves always understood to be the general opinion of his character for honesty and fair dealing, has surprised many persons - the more so, as it is natural to suppose, that a person holding a trusty confidential situation in such a public office as the Commissariat for so many years, and possessing such a valu[a]ble property as he did in Hobart Town, would risk his character, and liberty, and property, for a few paltry boards. His good character, we trust, will have its due effect in mitigating the rigour of the law, when he is brought up for judgment before His Honor Chief Justice PEDDER. The prosecution was conducted by the Solicitor General, ALFRED STEPHEN, Esq. And the defence by Mr. GELLIBRAND.

Notes

[1] Richard Lynch was found not guilty and discharged. Lloyd was also discharged, but Adams received 7 years transportation to Macquarie Harbour, AOT SC 41/1.
[2] Affleck Moodie was Assistant-Commissary-General, see P. Chapman (ed.), The Diaries and Letters of G.T.W.B. Boyes, vol. 1, 1820-1832 (Melbourne, 1985), passim.