MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2481, 15 December 1868, Page 2

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, Dec. 14, (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M.) DnuNKENNEBB.-Janeßelli n ger W «3brouglit up for having been drunk and disorderly, and usmg obscene language on Saturday evening. Being an old offender, his Worship 'remarked that flan were evidently of no avail, and she would be committed to two months ininriaonmenut hard labour. Marian Cole was also charged with having been drunk and disorderly, and was committed for aeveu days.

Petty TuKFr.-William Henderson and John Darby, two boys about 10 years of aire were charged with having stolen fruit from Hie garden of Mr Thomas Price. Kilmore street, Tho olfeneo was proved by the evidence of the prosecutor who had caught them J" the act, and they were ordered to be locked up for seven hours and severely whipped. J LAitOENY.-Enoch Smart alias John Clark on remand was brought up in custody, clm wd with having stolen a saddle, the property of Mr Blyth, Prebbleton. Detective * east arrested the prisoner on Saturday, and traced the saddle fromPreece's Sale Yards where he had entered It for sale to a man named Sorimshaw, residing in High street. rmoner after being cautioned in tho usual manner said that he had found the saddle near Prebbleton about three months ago, and had advertised in the Tim, but hearing n "M il Le tlloU B ht he ff0llI( i dispose of , II, ; m „CHWer l a blacksmith, in the mploy of Mr Blyth, Prebbleton, said about ten days before the cattle show, h e came to Uiriatchurch on a mare belonging to his

master. He returned home the »ame evening, but on the way the mare shied and throw him near the Racecourse Station. The marc then bolted towards home, with the saddle on, and he followed, but could not soe her anywhere on the road. He. knew, prisoner, who lives on Bprlngs Track, and the mare when going home would pass his house. Witness looked for the saddle next day, but could not find it, and he also on meeting prisoner a day or two after remarked that he had lost a saddle, but did not receive any reply. James Blyth deposed to lending last witness the mare, and to its coming home the same evening without saddle. He identified (he saddle in Court as his property, and valued it at £3 10s. Thomas Preece, auctioneer said on Saturday week a man brought a saddle to his place for sale, but he could not swear to prisoner being the man. The saddle was something like the one produced, and was brought to the store about 2 p.m. He was instructed not to sell it for less than 25i, and he bought it in at 235, but subsequently sold it privately to Mr Scrimshaw for the reserve price. On Saturday last prisoner called at the store and asked if the saddle had been disposed of. Witness replied in the affirmative, and paid the money for which prisoner gave the name of John Clark. Henry Scrimshaw said that he had purchased the saddle, and afterwards gave it up to Detective Feast. Prisoner in defence reiterated his statement of having found the saddle near Prebbleton, and that he waited a long time for an advertisement to appear about it, but not seeing one, he then wrote to the Lytklton Times, giving particulars of the affair. He urged the Bench to consider these matters, and also the fact of his having disposed of the saddle in such an open manner. His Worship said there were unfortunately two points which prevented much consideratoon being given to prisoner's statement. JJirst, he had not mentioned anything about the saddle to the witness Calder, when informed of one haviog been lost; and secoud, he had given a fictitious name at the saleyards. He would have to undergo six weeks imprisonment at hard labour for his offence It would not do for peraons to bs allowed to dispose of goods they had found in such a manner. If articles were found in the streets or elsewhere, it was the duty of the finders to advertise them, and make the matter as public as possible.