THE COURTS—TO-DAY.

Evening Star, Issue 8267, 12 July 1890, Page 2

THE COURTS—TO-DAY.

CITY POLICE COURT. (Before Messrs J. ABhcrcft and A. Burr, J.l'.s). niUTNKKNNRSs.— XelHe teuls was fined 6s, In default twenty-four hours id gaol. Biikach of Tint Pbace.— James Whiitet, a youth, was charged with behaving in George Btreet with InteDt to provoke a breach of the peace. Mr W. A. Stout defended. Constable M'Calluni eta ted that ho was on duty In George street, when he observed several young men under Inglis's verandah. They were knocking up against the phutters and causing a disturbance, the shutters making a great noise. Witness went to them and they scattered, and witness arrested aocused, who was the ringleader of the disturbance. —Constable Ramsay said he saw on the opposite side of the street in George street ten or twelvo young fellows who were banging up against the shatters. As soon as they saw Constable M'Callum they ran away, and witness saw the accused now before the Court arrested.—Mr W. A Stout called accused, who stated be w.-»scomlngupGeorercßtreet wlththreoothera when they were met by a crowd coming down the rood. One of those pushed him up against the shutter, and before he knew where ho wa9 the " hobby" had hold of him.—Corroborative ovldenoe was given by the companions of accused.—The Bench said, although the action of the police was perfectly justifiable, they were agreed that the evidence was not sufficient to convict on, and the case would be dismissed. Lakcrny.— Grnrfifi M'Kcii-i? and William &Aomo)i were charged with hiving, on tho 20th March, at Dunedin, feloniously stolon ono silver watob, valued at L 3, the property of James Mahon. Mr Hanlon appeared for M'Kenzie, and bcth accused elected to be dealt with Bummarlly.—Chief-detective Henderson said that hewas not prepared to|complete the case now, and would ask that Constable Rasmusen, who arrested M'Kenzie, might give his evidence, so that ho might return to his station. The offence was committed Some time ago, and complainant, who waa an elderly u, -ii and a very old resident here, got tipsy on March 26. when be was staying at the Spanish Restaurant. He had in his possession at that time a watch and a considerable sum of money—L4o. He went to bed on tli.-! evening of the 2Ctn, and on the followinr morning he found the watch and money gone. Do reported the matter to the police, and Inquiries were mode. Constable Uasniusen found tlie watch in the possession of a man named Jenkins, who would give evidence that he bought It from M'Kenzie, through the Instrumentality of Solomon. Kilomon received 20* and Mackenzie 80s for the watch from Jenkins Constable Itasmusen, stationed at Cromwell, deposed that, on the 25th May last, ho made inrjulilefc regarding tho stolen watch, obtaining possession of it from Kobert Jenkins on that date. Witness Interviewed accused M'Keri/le on the '2C;h May, at Morvrn Hills station, showing him a watch and a'bin/; him if be knew it. fie said yes, and that be sold it to Robert Jenkins ot the Octagon, Dunedin, about tho beginning of April. He got 30s for the watch fron Jenkins, and out of that be gave 7a Gi to William Solomon, who had fonnd a purchaser for the watch for him. He also said be bought tho watch of a man at Wilson's bar at Wain's Hotel, whom he did Dot know. Witness subsequent,y arrested M'Kenzle. Allan Cameron, employed at the Spanish Restaur .iiit, remembered the circamstanco of Mahon losing his watch. Witness remembered seeing the two accused before, some time ago, In tho restaurant. In cross-examination witness said he ci.u'd not say they were stopping i n the bonse, bnt their features wero faniilinv to bin). They might only have come in for meals—James Mahon, bakor, stated that on the :?oth March be stopped at the Spanish Restaurant. Witness did not think he bod more than two !;lasse<) of beer <.n that evening. lie had in his possesion o watch and i-uard, which ho pliced on the chair beside bis bed when be retired. Ho bad also M'.i odd, o.i awaking In the morning ho found watch and money f one Phe watch produced was liis, and he never sold it to cither accused, who were unknown to him. lie did not lock his bedroom door. —To Mr Hanlon : The money was in the pocket of hrs trousers, and these were placed under his pillotv. In the morning bo f-.uml the trousers on the chair. Witness lost watch, chain, and money all the same night. —To Dotontlvo JT«ndrr*>n : WltncfS had been in Dunedin about f"rt) years, and had never had anything like this happen to him before.—With record to bail. Detective Hendcison stated that Solomon was detained on another charge and could not ho liberated on bail. —Mr Hanlon pointed out that M'Kenzie bad made a clean breast of tho matter, and was entitled to be released on his own recugnisance.—The Bench were about to acccdo to this, when Detective Henderson strongly objected, saying th-t it was a monstrous nnd unheard-of thing.—Bail was finally fixed at accused in L 5, and one surety of L 5, the case standing adjjiirned till Friday n< it.