PORT CHALMER'S POLICE COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 7623, 28 May 1888, Page 2

PORT CHALMER'S POLICE COURT.

Friday, May 25. (Before Messrs J. Mill and J. Morgan, J.P.s.) Larceny.— Charles J. Kolberg was charged with stealing an ash oar of the value of 9s Gd, the property of James Malcolm. Mr F. North proseouted, and Mr F. VV. Platts defended.—James Malcolm stated that about three months since he missed the oar, which had been placed on the bank above high-water mark. He made inquiries from several of the fishermen, but could gain no tidings of it until the 15th inst., when his sen notice'd it in the defendant's boat. The oar ■ producedwwars r the one he lost. At that time it was branded F.M., but those marks had been partly obliterated, and a S (in a diamond) cut in their place. For the defence, Mr Platts stated that the oar produced had been picked up in the bay by the defendant, who had mentioned the fact to several fishermen) and also placed it in a most conspicuous place for two ai three week?; Not finding an owner, and- having- had the misfortune of having hjs boat' capsieed and losing two of his oars, put the mark op theqar produped and used it.—Affcpr hearing the evidence of several witnesses, their Worships dismissed the case, remarking that the complainant had not established ownership to we gap,