LYTTELTON.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4290, 30 April 1879, Page 1 (Supplement)

LYTTELTON.

TC-SDAT, APBXL 29. [Before H. Allwright and J. D. Macpherson, Esqrs., J.P.'sJ Labcbhy of ah Asa. — Charles Lyford, remanded for trial on tiie 22nd instant, was prosecuted for larceny as a bailee of an ass, value £7, the property of Martin D. Oros*. Accused pleaded guilty to selling the ass, bnt not guilty of stealing it. Constable Montray sua he arrested the accused on the 21*t April. Accused said he sold the donkey to a fisherman for £2 10s, and had given the money to a Mrs Petersen. Martin Crow, a native of Manilla, said I told the prisoner to take the donkey to Christchurch to a saleyard to be sold. I would be there at the sale, I would go by train; I

went to Matson's auction-room and waited for accused, but neither he nor the other donkey came. I informed the police when I came back to Lyttelton on Saturday night. A cused told mc on the Monday following tnat he had sold the ass, and had given (he meney to a Mrs Petersen to give to mc. He said he wouldgo and find the female and get the money. He didn't return. I found him after at Buapeka and brought him to Lyttelton. He went into a house, and when he came out he said the female was not in. He then came with mc to prison. Cross-examined by accused i I told you tbat if anybody asked you whether the ass would work in harness to tell them yes. I did not tell yon I didn't care what you did with it so long as yon brought mc tbe money. Henry Morrison, a fishmonger at Christchurch, said he asked the prisoner on the day in question whether he wanted to sell the donkey. He said yes, and tbat he wanted £4 for it. I offered £2 10s, whioh he accepted. He aaid the donkey was his. I didn't get a receipt for the money. Sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labor. The donkey was returned to Cross.