MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 49, 27 July 1874, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHEISTCHURCH.

Monday, July 27. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M.) DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Hugh O’Neil arrested for drunkenness, was fined 20s. Joseph Hawthorne arrested on a similar charge, was discharged with a caution as this was his first offence. Denis Ryan for being drunk and indecently exposing himself, was fined 20s or 48 hours. BREAKING A PANE OF GLASS. Thomas W. Marks was charged with breaking a pane of glass valued 80s, at Fallas’ Boarding House, Cashel street. Constable O’Shanassy stated that, on Saturday night he was sent for to arrest the accused, who swas breaking the windows of the house. When he had hold of him he threw a stone at the window and broke a largo pane, and said he should like to break them all. Fined 20s or 48 hours, and advised to pay for the damage he had done. OBTAINING GOODS BY FALSE PRETENCES. Phillip Johnson was charged on remand with obtaining a pair of by false pretences, from Mr Triggs, bootmaker, High street. Chief-detective Feast stated—l arrested the prisoner on Saturday morning at the Rakaia, on the warrant produced. When I arrested him he said nothing. When we were passing Mr Triggs shop he wanted to go in and pay for the boots. I told him it was a criminal charge, and 1 could not allow him to do so. He asked what he would get for it, and I told him he would be prosecuted with the utmost vigor of the law.

James Triggs, bootmaker, High street, examined, stated--I recollect Thursday, 11th July. I saw the prisoner at my shop that day. He came into my shop and pointing to female outside said he wanted a pair of boots for that person who was his wife. I asked him who he was working for and he said for Mr Benjamin Hale, the bootmaker and this being two o’clock, he said Mr Hale paid his men at four, and when he got his money he would come round and pay me. On these conditions I let him have the boots. He said he was in the employ of Mr Hale, who had engaged him for a twelvemonth. I said, “All right, you can have the boots,” and he got them. I thought he would’nt come in and tell me a falsehood. I would not let him have the boots if I had not believed his statement, The value of the boots is 12s 6d,

Mr B. Hale, tent manufacturer, said he knew the prisoner, who had been a little over two months in his employ. He left on the27th June. Used to pay him every Saturday night, and paid him on the night he discharged him. He (prisoner) had not been in his employ since. Had not spoken of engaging him for twelve months. Prisoner had no authority to use his name to obtain any goods

Ellen Ruthrew went with prisoner and got a pair of boots at Mr Triggs’ shop on the llth iust. Was not the prisoner’s wife, and ho told her he had paid Mr Triggs 12s 6d for the boots.

The evidence was read over to the prisoner, who, after being cautioned, said he did not get the boots unde false pretences, lie had money coming to him, and when he got it he intended to pay for them, and was quite willing now to do so. Mr Triggs, recalled by his Worship, said on one occasion before the prioner had bought a pair of boots at his shop and paid for them.

Mr Hale, recalled, said that while the prisoner was working for him he had behaved himself well.

Detective Feast told his Worship that the accused had been circulating a report at the Rakaia that he was travelling for Mr Hale. His Worship said he would remand the accused until to-morrow, as he should like to consider the whole circumstances of tie case. LARCENY. Samuel Geddings and Robert Morgan were charged with the larceny of thirty-six corn sacks, one backstrap, one pair winkers, one swingletree, one trace chain, and one pair trousers, the property of Mr T. Holmes, farmer, Rakaia.

Mounted-constable Lamb stated that he went to the Rakaia to execute the warrant produced, accompanied by Mr Holmes. He went to the whare occupied by prisoner Geddings, and to the stable, woolshed, and ground, and found the property previously described, which Mr Holmes identified as his. He then went to the ground where Morgan was ploughing, and told him he had found a pair of trousers which belonged to Holmes. Morgan replied that he bad stolen them, but he did not think Holmes would follow him for them. All the articles produced were those he found, and which Mr Holmes had identiied as his property. Later in the day he saw the prisoner Gcddings at Hood’s accommodation house. Spoke to him and read the warrant; told him he had found the articles produced on his premises. He laughed and said, “Oh ! nonsense ; they are my property.” He afterwards said he took five bundles of bags from Holmes’ whare, and that the back strap was Holmes’ also. He cautioned both prisoners before they made any statement. He then brought them on to Christchurch. Thomas Holmes, farmer, living at South Raikari, stated that Morgan was in his employ, and Geddings was •* grubbing” with him. On the Bth July he (witness) had occasion to go awaj from home, and left Morgan there. Geddings was there also. Returned on the 9th, but prisoners had gone. Missed a pair of trousers first and some bags. Then went to yoke up a horse and missed some harness and oats. The property produced belonged to him, and were those he missed at the time, and were on his farm when he went away. Next saw them at Mt Somer’s station, where prisoner (Geddings) has a contract for ploughing. Found some of the harness on prisoner’s horses. Neither of the prisoners had any right to take any of the things away, and no right or claim to them. Valued the property taken at about £2B. The trousers when found had been cut and altered. Missed 19 bags oats, and Geddings admitted taking 6 bags. Left Morgan there working when he went away, and had not discharged him. He (Morgan) told him the night before, when he met him at the Rakaia township, that he was going to leave. By prisoner Geddings—l never told you you could have what oats you wanted to feed your horses with at so much a bushel. By prisoner Morgan—On the 4th July, I said I would let you go if I could get a man to drive the team. The evidence taken was read over to the prisoners, and after receiving the usual caution, Geddings made a statement to the effect that he and the prosecutor, since January last, had been harvesting and working together, and had used each others property all this time, and continued to do so until the 6th July, when he asked Holmes to settle with him.

Morgan said he had engaged with the prosecutor on the 6th June, and left with Holmes’ consent on the 4th July. He asked Holmes to pay him and he promised to do so several times, but would not. He (prisoner) then took the harness as part payment, Both prisoners were committed to take their trial at the next criminal sessions of the Supreme Court,