RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 937, 14 February 1890, Page 11

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

At the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday week, before Mr H. W. Robinson, R.M., two young fellows named Maurice Murphy and Henry Sorry, alias Jones, were charged that they did unlawfully and wickedly conspire, combine, and confederate and agree together to obtain from William Lambess the sum of L 4 ; and further, that they did impose upon the informant by certain verbal representations with a view to obtain money. It appeared from Lambess’ evidence that he was a labourer, and arrived here from Napier on the 4th , inst. The same evening he and a friend who was with him met Murphy at a coffee stall, where they had some refreshments. They met again the following morning, and in the evening Murphy introduced Sorry, the other defendant, whom he said was going to Lyttelton, whither witness was also bound. Sorry said he was glad witness was going South as he could give him a job on a mill. They had drinks together, and afterward separated, Sorry going with witness and Murphy with witness’ friend. Witness and Sorry proceeded as far as the Occidental Hotel, which the latter entered, and, on coming out, a*ked witness if he could change a L 5 note. Witness replied that he could not, ss he only had L 4. Sorry asked and obtained this money, and made off, witness not seeing him again until they met at the Police Station. Witness subsequently pointed out both accused to the detectives. Was quite positive the men in the dock were the men. The case at this stage was remanded till this morning, on the application of Mr Brown, who appeared for the accused. Baikwas allowed on their own recognisances of LoOand two sureties of L 25 in each case. Mr Robinson, R.M., discharged two first offenders charged with drunkenness at the Magistrate’s Court last Friday morning. W. S. Staite, charged with habitual drunkenness (having been convicted three times within the last three months) asked his Worship to inflict a fine instead of sentencing him to imprisonment. He intended to leave Wellington, and would do so if the case was dealt with by fine. His Worship agreed to this, and fined the accused L 3, with an alternative of seven days’ imprisonment. Four days were allowed Staite in which to pay the fine. Jas. Smith, similarly charged, was also fined L 3, in default seven days’ imprisonment. The hearing of the case in which Maurice Murphy and Henry Sorry were charged with playing the confidence trick on “ a young man from the country,” was resumed. Mrs Riley, landlady of the Postoffice Hotel, was called for the defence, but could not recollect whether Sorry was in the hotel on the evening when the “ trick” was alleged to have been worked. The accused Murphy was also sworn, his evidence being a denial that be had ever been in Sorry’s company. Mr Brown, who was for the defence, was granted an adjournment until next day, in order that he might call other evidence to prove an alibi. John Plant, a fireman on the Copwas committed for trial on a charge of stealing Ll 4 in money, a coat, and a silver watch, tlie property of G. Norkett, a stranger in Wellington. ‘ It was alleged that the two men met on Tuesday mornimr, Norkett having L3O in his pocket, Ll 5 of which he gave to Mr J. R. Riley, of the Post Office Hotel, to take care of. Norkett went to sleep, and, when he awoke, the money and Plant had gone. It was proved that Plant afterward had a

lot of money, though he had not drawn any from the ship. In a civil case, Green and Brooks v. Pudney, judgment weiit for plaintiff for L 3 3s 6dj with L2 9s costs. At the Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, before Mr Robinson, R.M., a first offender was fined 5s for drunkenness. John Ennis, who had been in custody for some days suffering from the effects of drink, was discharged. James Wilson was ordered to contribute 183 per week toward the support of his three children, and William Barnes 25s per week for the maintenance < f his family. Alfred and George Edwards were ordered to pay 4s each toward the support of their mother, for whom Mr Bunny appeared. In conr option with this case two bogus letters were read purporting to come from Australia to the plaintiff, the one offering her employment and the other offering her a home with her brother. Both letters, it appeared, had been written in Wellington and sent to the Postmaster-General in Sydney to be posted back to New Zealand. The defendant Alfred Edwards (for whom Mr Jellicoe appeared) denied rail knowledge of them.—Principal Warder Millington (Probation Officer in the absence of Mr Garvey) having reported favourably on the character of Arthur John Connell, a lad who was recently convicted of larceny, Connell was admitted to probation, and ordered to r< fund 16s to Ling Kee by way of compensation.—A case in which Smuucl Elliott, an expressman, was charged with assaulting a wharf porter named Cresswell, was dismissed.

Robert William Paterson,. charged on Friday with having in his possession, on the 2nd inst., 211bs of uncustomed tobacco, pleaded guilty. Mr Bell, who appeared for H.M. Customs, asked his Worship to mitigate the penalty to one-fourth, in pur« snauce of the 260th section of the Act of ISB2. This w&3 agreed to by the Court, and the case was formally adjourned for a fortnight, his Worship remarking that he should not require bail. Mr Skerrett appeared for the defendant. The decision of the Court means a fine of £25. At the Court on Saturday, before Mr H. W. Robinson, R.M., Maurice Murphy and Henry Sorry, alias Jones, were charged with attempting to defraud a man from the country named William Larnbess, on Wednesday evening. Sorry called several witnesses and succeeded in proving an alibi. Mr Robinson thought the evidenoe waa sufficient to excuse Sorry, and he was discharged; His Worship said there was no question of identity in Murphy’s case, and sentenced him to four months’ imprison, ment. This was all the business of the sitting. The criminal business at the Court on Monday was very short. A first offender, charged with drunkenness, was discharged, and a case in which John Riohmond and George Nicklin were charged with committing a breach of the peace was dismissed, no evidence being offered. Judgment for plaintiffs was given in the following civil cases in the Court on Monday: Harrison v. Lee, £1 Is Gd and oosts, 7a ; Bing, Harris and Co v. Leahy, £ll 3s 6d and oosts, £2 2s; Miller, Booth and Co. v. Speakman, £5 4s and costs, lls ; Lilley v. Crichton, £3 2s and cost*. In the judgment summons car-e South Pacific Loan Company v. A. G. Wiffiu, claim £8 19s, his Worship suspended an order for the imprisonment of the debtor, provided he paid the debt within 14 days. In another judgment summons case, G-. R. Young v. Louis Gestro, Claim £4 lls 7d, an order was made for the payment of the amount by monthly instalments. In the case of Wrigley and Urquhart, contractors, of Pitone, v. J. S. Manning and B. Dawson,claim £SO, as damages for breach of agreement in connection with the erection of a house, his Worship gave judgment for the defendant, with costs £2 2a. When the case was previously before the Court the plaintiffs were nonsuited with regard to their claim against Manning. Mr Skerrett received judgment for the plaintiffs, and Mr Treadwell appeared for Dawson. In the case of G. W. Smart, pawnbroker, v. J. Griffiths, also a pawnbroker, in which the plaintiff sought to recover the re. turn of a gun or its value, £lO, his Worship gave judgment for the plaintiff. Mr Jellicoe, who represented the defendant, sairl he intended to take theoase to the Appeal Court, Mr Edwards received judgment for the plaintiff. Some time was occupied in hearing the evidence in the case of Andrew Young v. Rouse and Hurrell, claim £7O 2s, as mor.ey due in consideration of plaintiff giving to the defendants a promissory note for £6O on the 16th August last on the understanding that they would take up and retire a certain promissory note given to them by W. A. Young and Co., for £6O, which they stated would fall due on the 17th August. His Worship reserved judgment until Thursday. Mr Quick appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Edwards for defendant. At the- Court on Wednesday, before Messrs J. H. Cock, J. Collins, and J, H. Heaton, Justices, Andrew Clark, for drunkenness, was fined 5s or 24 hours’ imprisonment ; and for damaging a cab belonging to John Laue, the same defendant was fined Is and ordered to pay 20s damages. In default of this he was ordered to be imprisoned for 4S hours. Alfred Harris, for creating a disturbance in a railway carriage between Shannon aud Otaki, on the 11th inst, was fined 20s or 7 days’ imprisonment. A first offender for drunkenness was treated in the usual manner. Andrew McClaynort, for a sfmilar offence, was fined 103 or 48 hours’ imprisonment. Edward Osborn, for permitting his horse to wander in the Btreet on the 15th ult. was fined Is and 7s coats. John Sheehan, for driving faster than a walking pace round a street corner, waa treated in a similar manner. This was all the business.