MAGISTRATES' COURTS

Press, Volume XIX, Issue 2818, 14 May 1872, Page 3

MAGIST RATES' COURTS

« LYTTELTON. Monday, May 13. [Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M.J Larceny—Thomas Bryant was charged with having in his possession a chest of tea which had not paid the duty. Constable J. Davidson said he went to the prisoner's house to serve a summons, and on going into the room he saw two tea chests, one full, and another empty. He asked accused where he got the property from. He said he had had it given to him by the steward of the barque Elm' Grove. He arrested him on a charge of having goods which had not paid duty. Sergeant Barsham applied for a remand as the Collector of Customs was unable to be present. Remanded till to-day. Assault on Board Ship.—William Watson, a seaman on board the brig Drover, was charged with this offence. Constable Davidson said he was sent for on board the vessel, and on going aboard, the accused was given in charge. Edward Culmer, chief officer, said accused came on board the worse for liquor, and commenced a row with his shipmates ; on his going forward he saw accused and told him to be quiet, when accused struck him in the mouth. This was fully proved by a witness. Accused said he was drunk. The Bench said this was no excuse, and sentenced accused to a week's imprisonment with hard labor. Larceny — Elizabeth Bryant, alias Cotter, was charged with this offence. From the evidence of Sergeant-Major Barsham, it appeared the accused had been a servant at Mr Leslie's. Some time since Mr Leslie reported that he had lost a table cloth, and suspected the accused had stolen it. Some property having been seized, a search was made by himself, and he found a number of articles which were recognised by Mr Leslie. They consisted of a towel, table cloth, plates, coloured glasses, spoons, and jug. Mr T. Leslie, sworn, identified some of the property as belonging to him ; other articles were identified by the cook. The Bench said there was no doubt accused had taken advantage of being servant in the house, and had stolen the articles. The sentence would be, four months' hard labor at Addington gaol.