MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 56, 4 August 1874, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday, August 4. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M.) DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Hamilton Shaw, arrested for drunkenness, was fined 10s, or twenty-four hours in default. LARCENY. James Kelly and Francis Coyne were charged with stealing a locket and ring from the shop of H. Rossiter, High street. Chief-detective Feast deposed to the arrest of the prisoners the previous night at the Warwick Hotel. He searched the prisoner Kelly, and in his pocket found the ring produced, which he said he had four years, and bought it in Auckland. The ring was identified at the time by Mr Rossiter's son as his father's properly. The other prisoner was then brought into the room, and as he was coming through the door, he (.witness) saw him put the locket produced into his mouth. Caught him by the throat and tried to force his mouth open. The other prisoner then came up and threatened to strike him (witness), and he then bolted out of the door. Detective Benjamin followed him, and then he (witness) heard something drop on the floor. Kelly was brought back, and the locket was picked up. Detective Benjamin gave similar evidence. H. Rossiter, watchmaker, High street, remembered both prisoners coming into his shop on the afternoon of the previous day. They came in to buy a nugget ring. He had none that would fit them and he showed them a tray of ladies lings. Saw the prisoner Coyne sweep his finger along, and he (witness) then missed the ring."He showed the prisoners four lockets, and while watching the prisoner who had the ring, the other one took one of the lockets. Coyne then went out of the shop to buy cigars. Sent for Sergeant Wilson and he searched them, but in the meantime the articles had been planted. The locket and ring produced were those he missed, and he valued them at £2 10s.

Walter Eossiter, sou of the previous witness nave evidence to the same effect. He saw them go to the back of the Ciiy Hotel, and heard one say to the other. " It's all right." Was present when the prisoners were searched, at the Warwick Hotel, and the ring and locket taken from them. They belonged to his father.

The prisoners had nothing to say in defence, and his Worship said he would hear the evidence in the other case before passing sentence.

A second charge of stealing a meerschaum pipe from the shop of Mr Ayers, Cashel treet, was preferred against the same prisoners. Chief Detective Feast stated that when he searched the prisoner Kelly he found the pipe produced. He (prisoner) said that he had had it for the last two years. Mr Ayers remembered both prisoners coming to liis shop the previous night. Kelly came to have his hair dressed, and while this was being done, the other prisoner remained in the shop, and the boy showed him some pipes. When Detective Feast afterwards came to his shop he missed a meerchaum pipe out of the case produced. The number of the pipe agrees with that on the ense. and also bore his pvivnte mark. The pipe belonged to him, and was valued al Ss. To his Worship—l am quite sure that the pipe belongs to me. I Detective. Feast, rc-called, said that when arrested the prisoner Kelly had no money

on him, and the prisoner Coyne had 4s 6d on him.

His Worship said that he was sorry to see such a systematic system of shop-lifting, and this was the second conviction againt Coyne, Both prisoners would be sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labor on the first charge, and six months' imprisonment with hard labor on the second charge, the second term to date from the expiration of the former sentence, or twelve months in all.

KAIAPOI. Monday, August 3. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M., and J. Birch, Esq.] DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. James Burns, in custody, arrested by Mounted Constable Thoreau on Sunday evening, in Raven street, was brought up. The constable stated that accused was violent and resisted, so that he had to be handcuffed and placed in a vehicle to convey him to the lock-up. Fined 5s and costs. DOG- NUISANCE ORDINANCE. Charles Edwards and Samuel Garrett, on police informations, were fined 20s each, and costs 6s 6d, for being the owners of dogs over the proscribed age, not registered. CATTLE TRESPASS. D. Heeney for one horse,' J. Fisher for four cows, and B. Monk for two horses, were respectively fined ss, and costs 6s 6d, for allowing the same to stray on the streets. OBSTRUCTING FOOTPATH. W. Muriit was charged by Constable Haldane that, on the 29th ultimo, he tied his horse up so that it obstructed a footpath in Raven street for about a quarter of an hour. Accused said he was in a great hurry to see the Rev. J. W. Stack, and fastened the horse to the fence of that gentleman's garden. Dismissed on payment of costs. CIVIL CASES. J. W. Bevan v. E. Ellis, claim £3l 2s 6d for half share of 100 sheep. Mr Joynt for defendant. It appeared from plaintiff's own statement that the purchase of the sheep had been a partnership transaction, and that no account of the partnership had been made up. Nonsuited with costs, and professional fee £3 15s. R. Walton, as trustee in bankruptcy, v. G. Mackay, interpleader claim for £42 15s and a sailing boat (Ariel). Plaintiff did not appear. Mr Joynt, defendant's solicitor, explained that his client obtained judgment iu the Christchurch Magistrate's Court against Dudley and Craig, and their effects were seized upon. An interpleader was then put in by trustees in reference to a claim under a marriage settlement, which having been disposed of, the plaintiff in this case .early in July put in another interpleader, acting as trustee of C. K. Dudley's estate,, but after giving an unnecessary amount of trouble he has decided on Friday last to .withdraw the case. He (Mr Joynt) did not' think that the Court could give his client any remedy, Jbut he intended to take the matter further in the Christchurch Court. The.bailiff here stated he had been put to the cost of keeping possession of the boat. Mr Joynt said as the boat in question . had been mentioned, he might inform the Court he had advised his client to claim £25 from the bailiff for. the value of it. The Resident Magistrate : You are running your head against a post. There are two boats. Mr Joynt: The bailiff telegraphed to Mr Mackay that he had bought the Ariel for £25 in his interests, and would await his instructions. . The Resident Magistrate: That boat was the Edina. Mr Joynt: I may be misled, but I wrote to the clerk to the Bench here some time ago on the matter and he had not taken the trouble to answer me. The Bailiff : I bought the Edina at the sale for the benefit of Mr Mackay for £25, and telegraphed asking if he. would take it at that price. Mr Joynt: I advised him not to return an affirmative answer, as it was not desirable. The Bailiff : The £25 has been paid into the Court. The bailiff applied for an order for extra expenses in this case. The Bench advised him to send in his claim for costs to Mr Walton.—A. Jaunis vD. Stackwood; claim £7 lis; Mr Clarke for plaintiff. Judgment for plaintiff for £2 19s.