THE COURTS.-TO-DAY.

Evening Star, Issue 11664, 26 September 1901, Page 5

THE COURTS.-TO-DAY.

PORT CHALMERS POLICE COURT. (Before Messrs A. Thomson and J. R. Monson, J.P.s.) Stealing Rabbitskins. —John Sutherland <aged thirteen j'ears), Thomas Sutherland (ten), and Joseph Smith (ten) were charged with stealing on or about 20th September a quantity of rabbitskins of the value of 245, the property of John Mill and Co.— The Sutherlands pleaded guilty und Smith not guilty.—Sergeant Geerin called James Howden, chief clerk to Messrs Mill aud Co., who stated that on the 20th hist., when some.bales of rabbitskins wero being discharged from the railway trucks into the store his attention was called to three bales which were badly cut and some skins takeu out of each. The matter was reported to tho owner of the skins, who sent a representative down, and the bales were weighed aud found to bo. 161b short, the value of the same being 245. No authority was given to anyone to take the skins.—Constable Hannigan said that on the afternoon of the 20th he spokn to the two .Surferlands, who at tirst denied taking the skins, but afterwards admitted taking them, and, on going to their mother's house, the boys gave witness the bag of skins (produced), which they got from under ihe roof of the house. The mother of the boys told witness that she was ill in bed when they brought the skins home i>n\ concealed them. Witness asked ,iie cider Sutherland where the other skins >vere, and he said that Smith had taken -onic U> s-c'i. —Then- Worships considered there was r.o evidence against Smith, and ie nould i.e discharged. After severely reprimanding tlie two Sutherlands. they were convicted and discharged, the bag of skins to be returned to the owner. A prohibition order was granted against a man on the application of his brother-in-law.