THE COURTS.-TO-DAY.

Evening Star, Issue 4969, 5 February 1879, Page 2

THE COURTS.-TO-DAY.

CITY POLICE COURT. (Before I. N. Watt, Esq., R.M.) Theft.—Thomas N. Jewitt was charged with having been drunk and disorderly, and aho with having stolen a handbell, the property of Thomas Oliver, of the Sussex Hotel. —lnspector Mallard asked for a remand, stating that other articles were missing, and it was thought that they could be traced to accused.—A remand was granted till tomorrow.

Another Case.—Charleß Falconer Smith was charged with stealing a shirt, the property of James M'Donald ; a kettle, the property of Thomas Marsh ; and a kettle, the property of Henry Stone.—From the evidence it appeared that accused had stolen the articles from the shop-doors of their owners.—Accused was remanded till tomorrow afternoon.

A Weak Case.—John Scott was charged with stealing, on the 4th inst., two bottles of whiskey, the property of Mr Jones, of the Rose, Thistle, and Shamrock Hotel at Green Island. Accused pleaded not guilty. Hettie Howard, barmaid at the Baid hotel, deposed that on the day in question accused went in and asked for two bottles of whiskey. Witness put the bottles on the counter in front of him, and he put them in his pocket. Witness asked for the mon«y, upon which accused said "Oh, I'll make that all right," and left, saying "I'm as happy as a king. "—At this stage, Inspector Mallard observed that his Worship would probably agree that it was useless to go any further with the charge.—His Worship coincided, and dismissed the case.

Damaging Government Property. The last accused was then charged with' wilfully damaging the lock-up at Green Island to the extent of 10s.—Accused said he was drunk and did not remember what he had been doing.—The offence having been proved accused was ordered to pay the amount of the damage done; in default three days' imprisonment with hard labor.

A Susncrous Case.— Andrew Wilson (13) was charged with stealing some figs, lollies, tobacco, etc., the property of W. D. Sutherland and valued at Bs.—Prosecutor is a grocer residing in George street, and he and his assistants deposed to missing articles like those produced in Court.—Patrick Carroll j stated that on searching in a vacant house near by lie found the articles produced. The police were then communicated with. Detective Bain deposed that he watched the house in question all one night, and on the morning of the 2Sth nit. he saw accused lift one of the windows, go inside, and take the articles from the oven. Witness took him in charge, upon which accused said he had not stolen them ; but that on the previous day he saw from his bedroom window two boys go into the vacant house with a parcel and place it in the oven. The fact was, however, that the oven could not bo seen from the house in which accused lived. Accused, in defence, repeated the account given to Detective Bain.—His Worship considered the plea uneatisfactory, and sentenced accused to two days' imprisonment and to receivo twelve stripes with a birch rod. Alleged Sly-grog Selling.—Alfred. J. Lirkin was charged with having on or about the 10th of November last, being then in occupation of an unlicensed house, sold to one Jacob Low a half-gill of gin and a halfpmt of beer, contrary to the provisions of the Licensing Act. Accused pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr M'Keay.— Jacob Low deposed that he lived at the Forbury. On the second Monday in November last witness and his wife called at accusea'j store at Kew, and had a glass of gin and a (•lass of bier. Accused supplied Iho drinks, and witness give him Is, receiving 3d change. Cross-examined: This took place between 8 and 9 p.m. Witness had no particular reason for letting this oasn stand over for three months- .it, w.i.h n*t brought now «>fi iU'Vouiit of afi'.nsrtr.s having gainpi'l a small Jaw fasti against tvit.it>>>>>. "-- Amelia Low gtive bimilat- 7- viiiiy.Ko, and added that acuiibed always olurgfcd ht>r Gd for ;« glass of gin, and 3d for beer. In the bills produced brandy and other liquors supplied by accused were set down as " cash."—Mr M'fteay addressed the Court in defence, and then called defendant, who deposed that Low had had no dealings with him after Octol er 21. —Mrs Wheeler and Mrs A. Low gave evi dence bearing on the question of the. prosecutor's bearing a him* against the accused;. —His Worslrp, after comaicntiits; on the evidence, dismissed the case, the evidence proffered did no): a conviction. Another charge agaiiwt the same accused will be heard oa Monday.