MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4407, 13 July 1901, Page 3

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

FRIDAY, JULY 12. (Before Mr AV. R. Haselden, S.M.) Margaret Robinson was sent to prison for a mouth because she was a habitual drunkard who had been thrice convicted within sis months past. John Byrne was charged with having assaulted and robbed one Samuel Brooks of a silver watch valued at £6. Brooks—an aged man who ought to have known hotter—was) drinking in company with prostitutes and the accused man. Ho left the hotel allegedly in company with Byrne, and subsequently was robbed. Mr Hindmarsh appeared for the defence. His Worship dismissed the case. It was just one of those cases in which one might know a man was guilty and yet have no legal evidence of it, said Mr Hasolden. Frank King, who admitted his guilt, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for having stolen from the dwelling of James O’Shea £6 Is 4d in money and a watch and jewellery valued at £l2. He further pleaded guilty to having stolon a horse, and was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment on that charge. For having stolen two saddles and bridles ho was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, all sentences to bo concurrent. ,

Andrew Fraser was charged with participating'in the same offences as regarded the horse thefts. He pleaded not guilty. Lengthy evidence was called. Accused, who was defended by Mr Cooper, reserved his defence and was committed for trial. Bail was allowed in one surety of £IOO and two of £25. George Howe was charged that he did keep a brothel in Haining street. Mr Wilford applied under section 6 of the ' statute that accused might be sent for trial by jury, he having been previously convicted of the offence and sentenced to imprisonment. His Worship said it was absolutely absurd to send such cases for trial, but apparently there was no escape from that course under the statute. Mrs Young Keo, ■ a European, gave evidence that the house Haining street occupied by accused was the resort of Chinese gamblers and low-class European women. Josephine Cronin, a resident of Haining street, deposed that Howe’s house was “not a select one.” Accused was formally committed for trial after reserving his defence. H© was admitted to hail in one surety of £SO and two of £25.