RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4172, 4 August 1874, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Monday, August 3. (Before J. 0. Craw-ford, Esq., K.M.) Vagrancy. —David Murray was charged with vagrancy and indecent conduct. The evidence showed that the prisoner, who presented a most ruffianly appearance, had been “loafing” about Bolton-street for some days last week, and had on one occasion been seen in the garden of a private residence. Evidence was also given by young children, of both sexes, to the effect that he had offered them lollies and pennies, and had committed the heinous offence with which the latter part of the information charged him. His Worship remarked that the case was one of a most degrading and revolting nature, and it was most probably very fortunate for the prisoner that his viEainous conduct had been checked at the stage which the charge mentioned. He was sentenced to two months’ i imprisonmeut with hard labor. A female vagrant was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment. Larceny. —William Venuer, night watchman of the ship Waikato, was charged with stealing a gold watch, valued at five pounds, from J. W. Stevenson. J. W. Stevenson stated : I am in charge of the Government hulk, Omega, and Eve on board. On Sunday morning, about three o’clock, when in my berth I was awake. I saw prisoner standing in the cabin with a piece of Eghted candle in his hand. I caEed out, “Who's there and the light was immediately blown out. I then got up and went on deck, but saw nothing wrong. I went down again, got a light, and looked round all the cabins. I then went into ray own cabin, and on entering saw a dark heap, like a bundle, lying under my berth. I touched it with my foot, and found it was the prisoner. I kicked him, and had to drag him out, as he pretended to be fast asleep. He then got up and faced me. I asked him what he was doing there, and he gave some story about having heard some one on deck, and that he came on board to protect the ship. He said he was watchman of the Waikato. I then/uskud him what he’d got. He said “ I’ve only taken your watch,” which he took from some part of his person and handed to me. I had left it hanging on a naE, when I turned in the previous night. I let him go, and dressed myself ; in doing so, I found that aE my money was gone. I spoke to him afterwards, telling him that I missed some things, and that he’d better hand them over. I then waited until the captain of the Waikato got up, and told him of the occurrence. He said I had better give the man into custody, which I did. The prisoner, when asked if he had anything to say, made a rambfing statement about seeing a man pass the ship two or three times, and that he (prisoner) did not go on board with the intention of steafing anything, and that he did not do so. The captain of the Waikato gave the man an exceEent character, and spoke very highly of his conduct on the passage out. He never had a better man. His Worship said that he was sorry to see a man, bearing such a good character previously, place himself in the present position of prisoner. In consideration of his good character he would confine the sentence to three months, with hard labor. Assault. —Charles Hodder, captain of the ship Waikato, was charged with assaulting George P. Chapman, a Customs officer, and admitted striking the informant, but pleaded provocation. His Worship said that amounted to a plea of “ not guilty,” which was accordingly made by the captain. George P. Chapman, stated ; I am an officer of Customs, and tide-waiter on board the Waikato. On the 31st ult., the captain commenced abusing me and the Customs, generally, saying that he could buy over the whole lot for a £5 note and a few glasses of grog. He accused me of being drank, for which ‘ I called him “a sweep.” He then struck me and knocked me over a gun on to the deck. At the time of the assault I was in the execution of my duty. Geo. Morrell stated: I heard the captain say that he could buy over all of the Customs officers for £5 and a few glasses of grog. He then knocked Chapman down, I never heard a captain of a ship or any man calling himself a gentleman use such language as Captain Hodder did on the occasion in question. Jas. Potter corroborated the evidence of the previous witness. For the defence the following witnesses were called:—F. H. Barnes stated: I am second mate of the ship Waikato. The informant gave the captain great provocation, using abusive language, and called him “a dirty devil,” &c. J. E. Bone, third mate of the Waikato, gave similar evidence, and stated in addition that Chapman told the captain he “ was no sailor,” and the skipper then struck him. The defendant stated that the affair commenced by him telling the Customs officer that it was no use locking up the hold of the ship if ho left places open where he, the captain, could if he chose smuggle hundreds of pounds worth' of cargo ashore. The prosecutor told him to mind his own business ; that when he wanted information he’d ask for it. He thought he was deaUng with a gentleman, and trusted him ns such. After some words Chapman caEed him “a convict driver,” and used other abusive terms, and as he could not stand it any longer he knocked him down, and thought that in doing so he hurt his own thumb more than the informant's face, which he intended to hit. His Worship remarked that it was matter of regret that an occurrence of the kind should take place, particularly with a person who, from the position he occupied, should know better. Fined 50s. and costs. Disorderly Conduct. —Three young Maori men, who had been over indulging and so became excited, were charged with fighting in a pubEc place at the Hutt. The prosecuting constable deposed that he was called in to a hotel at the Hutt on Saturday night, to quiet a disturbance caused by the accused, who were fighting among themselves. Fined 10s. each and costs. . Several cases of drunkenness, in which the usual penalties were inflicted with the ordinary alternative, closed the business of the Court.