MAGISTERIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9604, 23 December 1891, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday, Dec. 22. (Before Charles Louisaonand E. C. Latter, Esqs.) Drunkenness.—>Two first offenders were fined ss. Larceny.—James Hedge was charged with the larceny of a Watorbury watch, value £l, the property of Colin Mackay, on Dae. 21. Accused pleaded " Notguilty.” Colin Mackay, a labourer, said he was at the Caversham Hotel on the previous day, when he mot accused. Ho showed the watch to-accused, who offered to buy it. The accused, after looking at the watch, put it into his pocket and walked away. Witness followed accused, but lost sight of him. Edward Whittington and Edward Ravenhill gave corroborative evidence. Constable Drury said that when he arrested accused he denied all knowledge of the affair. The Bench were satisfied that accused stole the watch, and, as there were several previous convictions against him for similar thefts, sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment with hard labour.

LABCBNY.~-Henry Tibbs, aged fourteen years, and William Tibbs, aged ten years, were charged with the larceny of eightytwo Dmids’ Gala tickets, value £4 2s, 1 the property of the Working Men’s Co-opera-tive Society. ' They pleaded guilty to taking eight tickets. Inspector Pender explained the circumstances of the case, and said that the elder boy had been before the Court a few days ago on a charge of stealing some brass from Scott Bros’. Arthur Bilfccliff, who made an affirmation instead of taking an oath, said that he was storeman in the Working Men’s Co-opera-tive Stores. Ho missed between eighty and ninety Druids’ Gala tickets from a stack of goods, where it would be very difficult for boys to get at them. The accused were frequently in the shop, and had aa opportunity of seeing the tickets. He recognised the tickets, produced in Court, as being some of those which were in the shop. George Tibbs, father of the accused, said that previous to the last six weeks the hoys were very good, but, lately, in consequence of the illness of his wife, and his own absence from home, they had gone wrong. After consultation, the Bench decided to send the case before the Resident Magistrate, as Captain Preece was acquainted with the circumstances of the thefc of brass from Scott Bros. (Before E. Beetham, Esq., R.M.) Civil Cases.— Judgment by default was given for plaintiffs in the following cases : —E. W. England v. T. Rollins, £7 13s 4d; M. Bornstone v. John Harrison, ,£l3 6s. —The case T. B. Craig v. E. Buckridge, .£2 15s, was adjourned to Jan. 28.—M. Leslie v. Jabez Lukey, £l2. Mr Cresswoll for plaintiff, Mr Wilding for defendant. Plaintiff claimed for the return or value of a pony mare, which defendant alleged he had purchased from plaintiff. On Dec. 15 Lukey called at plaintiff’s place, he having previously had a conversation with one of plaintiff’s daughters about the mare, and asked to have the pony for atrial by a lady who wished to buy one. Later the same day defendant telephoned to plaintiff’s husband at the Working Men’s Club, saying “ I’ll keep that pony,” when Leslie replied "You must return it as you promised.” Mis Leslie denied that she told her daughter to tell Lukey she would sell the pony for £5, and her daughter gave evidence, that when Lukey called to sea the pony, at their place there was nothing said about selling it for £o. Plaintiff admitted being willing to sell the animal if she was sure that it went where is woald nob be overworked. J. Lukey, defendant, said that the girl who brought the pony to his place the first time offered it to him for sale. He afterwards took a man named Bradshaw, down to Leslie’s to look at the pony, when the price was mentioned. When he sent the cheque to Mrs Leslie, she returned it torn up, and she afterwards demanded the return of the animal. Cross-examined: Neither of the Leslies objected to the pony going to Bradshaw’s. He sold the pony to Bradshaw for £5. Bradshaw and E. Wade gave evidence, and judgment was given for defendant with costa.

Sentenced. Henry Tibbs (14) and William Tibbs (10), who in the other Court had been convicted of larceny, were brought up for sentence. The elder boy was ordered to bo sent into the country, in default of which he would bo committed to Burnham; and the younger boy was discharged, the Bench remarking that he was probably under the influence of the elder boy when the theft was committed. RANGIORA. ' Tuesday, Dec. 22, (Before Captain Preece, E.M., E. E. Goodj and A. Todd, Baqs.) Civil Cases. —J. Manning v. Joseph Little, claim £5 8s; £1 5s paid. Judgment by default for balance.—Dr Clayton v. H. Ferguson, claim £2i 16s. Mr Cathro for plaintiff. Judgment by default for amount, and £2 16a cost.—M oir and Co. v. A. Maddison, claim .£8 17s 7d. Mr Spackman, for plaintiffs, explained that the claim had been paid, but not the costs. Judgment was given for coats ill sa. . AMBEBLET. Tuesday, Dec. 22. (Before W. S. Smith, Esq.) Disorderly Conduct. —A man named Sullivan was charged with disorderly conduct at the railway station. A fine of £2 and costs was imposed. " ASHBURTON. Tuesday, Dec. 22. (Before Alfred Harrison, Esq.) Drunkenness. —James Gill was sent to gaol for fourteen days, on a charge of drunkenness. A first offender was dealt with in the usual way.