POLICE COURT, QUEENSTOWN.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 43, 26 September 1863, Page 5

POLICE COURT, QUEENSTOWN.

(Before J. S. Hickson, Esq., R.M.) Monday, September 21. William Barnum was biought up on a charge of embezzling £2O, the property of Alfred El very. The prisoner was defended by Mr. Campbell, and pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor, sworn, deposed that he was a miner at present residing in Queenstown, and the prisoner had accompanied him from Melbourne to Moke Creek, where they had been working. Gave him two £lO notes to take care of. Left Moke Creek and came to Queenstown, where they lodged at the Boatman's Arms. Both came to the court to enquire about joining the Volunteers for Ancklund. Prosecutor stopped to listen to the cases that were being decided in the court, and shortly afterwards missed the prisoner. On making inquiries, learned from the laudlordthat prisoner's blankets were gone, and that he thought he had left Queenstown. He afterwards heard the prisoner had been inquirkg the road to Frankton. A warrant was issued on his information. Found the prisoner at Frankton, who offered to settle with him, but refused to do so at the time. He was subsequently taken into custody.

By Mr. Campbell I have known the prisoner about two months; we have been working together at Moke Creek. Gave him the money when we were working there. The whole sum was £3O; but he paid £lO for the claim, with my consent. He ottered me the £2O back whiie we were at Moke Creek; but as he had some gold of mine, I said we could settle all up when we came to town. I did not ask hi in for the money while we were in Queenstown. I .gave him the money to take care of because I thought it would be safer in his possession. I i"ou't remember his saying, when I met him at Frankton, that all his money was in Queenstown: he said he would settle by and bye. There are other accounts between us. One £lO notj produced in court was identified by prosecutor. Constable Irwin proved to taking the prisoner into custody. When searched there was found on him three £1 notes and some small change. Prisoner afterwards produced from his pockets, to which they had been pinned one £lO note, and one £5. There was also borne gold, two ings, and two deposit receipts—one on the Union Bank for £54, and one on the Oneutal for X*4oo. Mr. Campbell having dwelt at some length on the case, His Worship discharged the prisoner. Stealing a Dog.—Peter Anderson was brought up, charged by Minchin Lewis with this offence. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr. Campbell for the defence. The prosecutor begged to withdraw the charge, as he could not bear the expense of it. He had a claim on the Bucklerburn, and he had to pay a man £1 a day. « His Worship explained that a criminal charge could not be withdrawn, and despite the expostulations of the prosecutor, directed the case to be proceded with. Prosecutor, sworn, deposed that he was a miner on the Bucklerburn, and hau the dog in i his possession on Friday last. From information ! he received he came clown to Queenstown, and 1 then went to Frankton where he saw the prisoner.

Tae do;; came to him (prosecutor) and he called out u Let the owner of the dog call him off, or he may bite me." The prisoner then called him. Prosecutor then gave him into custody immediately. The dog is a brindle bull mastiff, and valued at £2O. By Mr. Campbell—l spoke about the dog biting me to see who would pretend to own it. 1 gave Peter into custody immediately he called the dog. He said afterwards that it did not belong to him. I did not ask him if he owned the dog before giving him into custody. He said since that the dog jumped into his boat as he was leaving the head of the Lake, and followed him afterwards from QueensUwn to Frankton. Sergeant Lynch applied for a remand till the 25th. Mr. Campbell objected. They could not bring stronger evidence than they had. The statement of the prosecutor himself had put him out of Court. The prisoner disclaimed the dog directly he was asked whether he owned it. He could prove that the prisoner denied the ownership of the dog about three hours before he was taken by the po ice. His Worship said hjfecould not refuse to grant a remand, but would take bail in two sureties for £SO each.