MAGISTERIAL.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7863, 14 May 1891, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, May 13.

(Before R. Westenra and J. V. Rosa, Esqs.)

Druxkenness.—For a first offence, a man who did not appear was fined 10s ; Isabella Lcckie, who had been frequently convicted, and only three weeks out of gaol, was fined 5s ; and AVm. McCullough, who had not been up for a year, 5s ; all with the usual alternatives in case of default.

Stealing Boots.—Alexander Bee wag charged with stealing five pairs of boots, valued at £1 12s, the property of M. O'Brien. Walter Prime, aged 14 years, stated that he and the prisoner worked in O'Brien's boot factory. On the 11th inst. they were together in the packing room. The prisoner asked witness if he would hide some boots. Witness said he would not. Shortly afterwards he went out to get a drink of water when he saw two pairs of boots thrown over the fence. There was a woman looking out of a window in a cottage close by. When he came into the factory, prisoner asked him to take the boots away. Witness refused. Prisoner had previously said there was a grand show to get some boots. Isabella Lamb stated she lived in Armagh street; there was a vacant section between her house and the Rink—O'Brien's boot factory. At about 4 p.m. on Monday she was looking out of a window, when she saw a man's head over the fence, and immediately afterwards some boots were thrown over ; she thought they were old boot tops. A boy then ran from the factory premises into the vacant section and went Dack again; he went to the water-tap and then into the factory. Some time afterwards a little girl came into the section and picked something up; witness went out and saw that she had several pairs of boots. Witness sent her into the factory with them. Alice Bailey, aged fourteen years, the girl who picked up the boots, corroborated Mrs Lamb's statement. R. Ingram, an employee at the factory, deposed to receiving the boots. This was the case. The prisoner, who said he was aged sixteen years, said that the boy Prime proposed to him to raise some money for the Queen's Birthday. He pointed out some boots, and left a box handy. Prisoner put the boots (produced) in the box. Prime carried it into the yard, and went round the fence into the vacant section. Prisoner then threw the boots over the fence. Prime came in afterwards and said a woman who was looking out of a window had seen the boots come over. Mr Kimbell said the Bench being of opinion that the prisoner stole the boots, would convict and remand him till May 16th, for the report of the Probation Officer.

Rescuing Hobses, &c. —John Knight, jnr., was charged with having rescued a horse while on its way to the pound, and with assaulting R. Evans, the poundkeeper at New Brighton. Mr Beswick appeared to prosecute. The evidence was that the poundkeeper, on April 30th, at 5 a.m., pounded some horses straying on the road. He put a halter on one of them and led it away. The defendant rode up, and pushing up between the led horse and the one prosecutor was riding attacked him with a stick, inflicting some braises. The horses got away and were afterwards found in defendant's yard. Defendant was fined £1 for the rescue and £1 for the assault, with costs.