MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2567, 29 March 1869, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

CHRISTCfHJRCH. Saturday, March 27. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M.)

Drunkenness,—Alfred Bowman and R. W. Pickering, on bail, were respectively charged with having been drunk and incapable, and drunk and disorderly, yesterday. Both had previously been convicted for similar offences, and the former was accordingly fined 10s, and the latter 20s. Robbery from the Person.—John Kobson was brought up in custody, charged with having stolen £6 from the person of Charles Robert*, labourer, Kowai Pass. Prosecutor said he came to Christchurch last night, and went to the City Hotel, where he met the prisoner. He had never seen him before, but they entered into conversation, during which prisoner said he was hard up. Prosecutor offered to share his money, consisting of six £1 notes, with him and another young man who was present. He put the notes iu the right-hand breast pocket of his coat, having first rolled them up in a letter, which he had recieved whilst on hoard ship. The prisoner observed him do so, and shortly after the three of them went outside, and walked arm in arm until they came to a bridge. The prisoner had hold of his right arm, and the other young man his left. When they got to the bridge, prisoner had dropped a little behind, and his mate called to him, asking what he was doing. Prisoner, in reply, said he was fond of the moonlight, and was reading a book. Prosecutor then looked round, and saw that prisoner lmd a piece of paper in his hand. Prosecutor felt in his pocket, and found his money gonej upon which he went to prisoner and said, " You are no man, for you have robbed me." Prisoner then tore up the paper he had in his hand, said that he hadn't got the money, and threatened to beat prosecutor for what he had said. After that, they went towards a house and prisoner sat down on a small bank, placing his hands under his legs. When he got up, prosecutor distinctly saw his hands moving. Prisoner's mate, whose name was Frederick Norman, then said to prisoner, " Give up the money," but prisoner again replied that he hadn't got it. Subsequently, however, he said he had put it into Norman's pocket, but on Norman searching, he could not find jjany trace of it. They then turned back into the city, and after going a short distance, prosecutor met Sergeant Pardy, who took the prisoner into custody, afterwards also pointing out to the Sergeant where the prisoner had sat down near the bridge. He saw Sergeant Pardy pick up the pieces of paper produced, which he could swear to by the writing as portions of the letter in which the notes were wrapped up. He produced another note written by the same person, , and the writing was precisely similar. The last time he saw the letter, was when putting the notes into his breast coat pocket, Prosecutor was cross-examined by the prisoner, but without eliciting anything material except that prisoner asked him to search him when charged with stealing the money, but prosecutor declined, because he trusted to his generosity, after having offered to share his money with him. By the Bench: He never knew the prisoner before last 'niglit. Frederick Norman said he accidentally met the prisoner at the Ashburton, and being hard up, paid his fare to town, where they arrived last night, and went to the City Hotel. He then corroborated all the material points of prosecutor's evidence up to leaving the bridge, and added that he proposed to go to the police station, which prisoner assented to, saying "Oh, yes, come along, Pll go with you." Prisoner then started off and led the way, but from what witness had since learnt, did not lead them towards the station, but directly away from it. They met Sergeant Pardy, and witness reported the matter to him. After the prisoner had been locked up, they went together to the place where prisoner had sat down, and Sergeant Pardy found the pieces of paper produced. Sergeant Pardy said about half-past 12 twelve o'clock that miming, he was walking northward up Madras street; when near St John's Church, he observed the prisoner sneaking along under the fence in a suspicious manner. He was going southward—directly away from the police-office, and witness stopped to watch him. Shortly afterwards the prosecutorand last witness came up. The former stated that he had been robbed, giving the particulars, upon which witness at once arrested the prisoner. After locking him up, witness proceeded with prosecutor and last witness to near the Bricke Wharf, Oxford terrace, aud on searching found the pieces of paper produced. They appeared to be part of a letter, but no money was found, and he would apply for a remand until Monday; in order to afford further opportunity for searching for it. His Worship granted the request, and prisoner was accordingly locked up.