RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5015, 22 February 1878, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Thursday., February 21. (Before R. Beetham, Esq., R.M.) DRUNKENNESS. William Lonergan was fined 5s for having "been drunk in a public place. LUNACY. James Motwick was charged on suspicion of being of unsound mind. After hearing Inspector Scully and a statement made by Motwick, His Worship dismissed the case, but recommended that the man should be taken to the hospital, as he evidently needed medical advice. PETTY LARCENY. James Monk was charged with having stolen three bottles of porter, valued at 4s 6d, the property of the providore of the steamer Manaia. Baldwin Franklin deposed to being stevedore on board the Manaia. The prisoner was discharged from that vessel last Saturday. On Wednesday last he came on board in witness's absence. When witness left, there were six bottles of "pig" brand porter in the ladies' cabin, and when he returned on board three of them were missing. There was no porter of that brand anywhere at the Spit. The prisoner, however, when taxed with having had such porter in his possession, said that he bought it from Mr Young at the Spit. Frederick Theobold, cook on board the Manaia, deposed that last Wednesday the prisoner came into the galley with a. bottle ot porter in his hand, and asked witness to have a drink. Witness asked prisoner where he got the porter, and he said from Young's. Half an hour afterwards the prisoner brought another bottle. Both of them were of the pig brand. James Franklin, a young lad, son of the prosecutor, deposed that last Wednesday, during his father's absence, he saw the prisoner coming out of the pantry. Asked him what he was doing there. Prisoner said he was getting some pota- • toes. Afterwards again saw the prisoner come out of the pantry, and on being questioned he said he had been serving two drinks. Witness said he would tell his father, and prisoner then shoved him out of the pantry. Witness found the bottles produced (having the " pig" brand) behind the stove in the galley. The prisoner went into the forecastle and lied down there. Mr Young, son of the landlord of the Railway Hotel, deposed that he had not sold the prisoner any porter, and that the " pig" brand was not kept at the Railway Hotel. The prisoner made a long statement, in the course of which he said that he had gone on board by the direction of the prosecutor, who owed him money, and that the cook, having the key of the pantry, had given the prisoner drink from there, and afterwards gave him the porter. His Worslxip said there could be no doubt that the prisoner had taken the porter. The value was, however, small, and the sentence would be seven days' imprisonment with hard labor. The prisoner asked if he could not have a summons against the prosecutor for what he owed him. He was told that he could, when he came out of prison. ASSAULT. Jane Martin appeared to an information charging her with assaulting a boy named James Miller. Mr Rees was for the complainant. The defendant applied for an adjournment to enable her to subpoena two witnesses. His Worship granted the application, and the case was accordingly adjourned to the following (this) morning at 10 o'clock.