MAGISTRATE’S COURTS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 366, 14 August 1875, Page 2

MAGISTRATE’S COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday, August 14. (Before G. L, Hellish, Esq., R.M.) Drunk and Disorderly,— Charles J ames for this offence was fined ss. Larceny. —Joshua Corkin was charged with this offence. The arresting constable stated that his attention was drawn to the prisoner coming out of the back door of the White Hart at an early hour this morning. He followed the prisoner, and when he (witness) got within twenty yards of him prisoner threw something away, and ran across Lichfield street. When the constable reached the place he found a boot. He then followed the prisoner, and arrested him near the Borough Hotel. On coming back with Sergeat Gatwood they found the companion boot in the right-of-way leading from the White Hart to Lichfield street. Sergeant Gatwood gave evidence as to finding the second.boot. By the prisoner—“l was not on the beat by the Caversham Hotel about eleven o’clock. You did not ask me where you could get a bed.” Joseph Oram Shepherd, of the White Hart Hotel, deposed to the boots produced being his property. The prisoner had no right to the boots; he was not connected with the establishment in any way. The value of the boots was about £l, Harriett Russell, housemaid at the White Hart Hotel, took the boots produced from Mr Shephard’s room, and placed them outside the kitchendoor, telling the boy to clean them. Prisoner said he left the Caversham Hotel at eleven last night, and a gentleman brought him up to a boarding-house, but it was too late to get a bed. He then sat down and knew nothing more about it until arrested by the constable. Prisoner vehemently asserted his innocence, but the magistrate said there could be no doubt as to his guilt. Prisoner was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, with hard labour. A charge against the same person of being illegally on the premises of the White Hart was then withdrawn, at the request of Inspector Buckley. Wife Desertion. — Edward Beasley, who had been arrested on a warrant in Otago, was brought up on this charge. The prisoner’s wife gave evidence that her husband had left her with two children in March last. Prisoner stated he had been away as steward of a vessel to Newcastle, and had not received his wife’s letter, which she said had been written to him. He had written to her, but his letter must have miscarried. His Worship told the accused that he had acted in a very heartless manner, aud ordered him to pay 20s a week towards the support of his wife and family. Larceny and Vagrancy.— John Keeling, charged with being a vagrant and stealing blankets at fiangiora, was remanded until Monday.

Stealing from a Dwelling.— J. H. Richardson was charged with this offence. Mr O’Neill appeared for the accused. Detective Benjamin stated that Mr H, A. Davis reported to him on Saturday night last that an antimacassar had been stolen from his premises. Went to accused’s house on Friday night, and found the antimacassar produced there. A fterwards went to where accused was working, and charged him with Ihe theft. Accused said “All right, wait until I get on my coat.” When he went to accused’s house, his wife said her husband had brought the antimacassar home, but she do not know it was stolen, H. A. Davis, called, stated that the antimacassar produced belonged to him. It was on a chair in his parlour on the previous Saturday night. The accused was in his (witness’) shop on that evening between 8.30 and 9.30. A door leads from the shop to the parlor. The door was closed before the accused came in, and after he left he (witness) observed that it was partially opened. He then missed the article.j No one was in the shop about that time but accused. The actual value of the antimacassar is about 15s ; but he (witness) would not take £3 for it, as it was a keepsake. By Mr O’Neill—Did say to the detective that the man who was in his shop on Saturday looked cleaner than the accused. Was under the impression that the man who had pawned a gun in his shop on the Saturday night was the man who stole the antimacassar. Had doubts at the time that prisoner was the man, and went round with the detective to Stewart’s shop to ask if the accused had tried to pawn a gun there. To the best of his belief the accused was the man who pawned the gun in his (witness’s) shop on the Saturday night. Re-examined—The accused admitted to him on Friday, when brought to his place, that he was the man who had pawned the gun in bis place. A person in the employ of Mr Stewart, pawnbroker, stated that the accused brought a single gun to that shop to pawn, but it was not taken in. Sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour.