MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 129, 19 September 1876, Page 2

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

THIS DAY. [Before T. W. Pajikkr, Esq., R.M.] MORRISOx'.S CASE. John Morrison, charged with burglariously entering tlie Oamaru Hospital and stealing therefrom a blanket, the property of the Hospital, was brought up this morning. The Bench considered that the charge of felonious intent had not been proved, and dismissed the case. STEALING TURKEYS. The case was adjourned yesterday in order to obtain the attendance of some v;itn esses. James Spence gave evidence to the effect that he had missed several turkeys from the station. .Alexander M'Auley, being _ sworn, stated that he was a shepherd, residing at Awamoa. On Sunday last he saw some boys coming from the Awamoa plantation. He saw one going away with a bag under his arm, and another boy had something that looked like a turkey in his possession. He didn't know what the bag contained. Sergeant Carroll deposed, that_ from information he received, he went in search of the prisoners, and arrested them last Sunday. This was all the evidence.

' The fathers of the boys were here called into Court. His Worship, in addressing the parents, said he did not wish to do the fathers any injustice, but he thought they had employed these boys to supply them with food. He did not know what control the fathers had over their children, but it appeared, instead of controlling their children, the youngsters controlled them. There was no doubt, in the world, that the parents of the children were well acquainted with the flavor of turkeys, and this was not the first instance in which their larders had been* supplied at other p3' p s's expense. The Bench did not feal disposed to send the youngsters to gaol, but it was inclined to think that it would be advisable in some instances to send the parents to where the boys were consigned, and make to. suffer with them. Lippen's father stated that he had six children, and they had plenty to eat and plenty to drink and a good bed to lie upon. He felt it very hard to think he should have to support his children, and they should bring disgrace upon him. The youngsters were remanded till three o'clock this Afternoon; with - the exception of the boy Bayle,who was discharged with a caution.

Ui. -IN UiSaiH/C said : On Tuesday, the 12th. inst., abou 10.30 in the morning, he was in Tyne- ' street, and saw some sheep on the Garden Reserve. I saw two or three men who I supposed were in charge of the sheep, and one of them named Ryley came to me with a dog. When he came out of . the Garden Reserve, I asked him if he was in charge of the sheep, and he said he was. I immediately told him to take the sheep away out of the town. I have received complaints on several occasions from persons whose property had been damaged by these sheep, and I have repeatedly cautioned Mr. Liddle about them. Mr. Liddle is manager for Mr. Hassell. I have also cautioned Mr. Hassell, junior, who is employed in the National Bank, about these same sheep. He is another attorney appointed by Mr. Hassell. I wish, to-press the charge, because they get under fences and do a great deal of damage. There were 100 sheep, but I have laid the information against eighty. Mr. Liddle : What is the land the sheep were found on 1 Witness: A reserve. Mr. Lid Je : What sort of a reserve'? Witness : Well, it's not a reserve to run sheep on. The defendant stated that Mr. Hassell paid £IOO a-year as rent for the reserve. The sheep were turned,on r to the reserve to oblige ths Corporation gardener, to eat eat off some grass. William Ryley deposed : I after sheep for Mr. "Liddle-. I had some sheep on the Corporation Garden last Tuesday. I saw Mr. Kidd, and he gave -me permission to put them there. 1 took the sheep down to water. I did not let the sheep stray about after I turned them out of the garden, but.remained in charge of them. I saw the Inspector of Nuisances, and he asked me where I was going with them. I said I was going to Lees and Moore's yard to water them. He told me to take them to the mill-yard. Cross-examined by Mr. Toms : I turned the sheep out of the garden about ten o'clock. You never called me when I was in the garden. Mi-. Toms asked for a remand for the attendance of other witnesses. His Worship granted a remand till Thursday, and intimated to the defendant that he had also heard complaints about the sheep both before and after the summons had been issued. The case was adjourned till Thursday.