ASHBURTON.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7781, 7 February 1891, Page 3

ASHBURTON.

Friday, February 6. (Before Messrs T. Bullock and H. Fried--1 lander, J.P.'s.) Alleged Larceny of a Saod_b.— Joseph Capstick was charged with the larceny of a saddle, the property of a lad named William Gray. Mr Crisp „ appeared for the accused. The lad William and hia brother Rave evidence to having put up their horse in Mr Thomas' yard on Saturday morning last, leaving the saddle on the animal's back. When gointc for the horse in the afternoon they saw the saddle had been taken :away. They identified a saddle produced in Court as the missing one. William Hunter, a lad in Capstick's eraEloy, stated that he was in Ashburton on aturday with a dray, and before leaving Capstick gave him a saddle siniilar to the one produced to take back to the camp,. Had not seen the particular saddle before Saturday. Constable Crocket deposed to finding the saddle in Capstick _ possession and to arresting him. Accused gave evidence and swore positively tbat he had purchased the saddle in Bullock's Arcade twelve months ago, and that it had been in his possession ever since. Evidence was given of three previous convictions

for larceny. The Bench imposed a sentence of six months* imprisonment with hard labor. Drunkenness—Threefirst offenders and James Maloney and Abraham Kelton were fined in various amounts for drunkenness.