MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 364, 23 June 1877, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

THIS DAY. (Before G. Svmptek, Esq., J.P.) DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Louis Anderson acknowledged to having been drunk and disorderly in Coquetstreet yesterday afternoon. Constable Grant stated that at about a quarter past four yesterday afternoon he was called upon by a woman named Julia Ann Paul, who stated that there was a man in her house making a great disturbance. He went to the house and found the prisoner standing outside. He told accused to go away, but he refused, and wicue3s then took him into custody. On way to the watch-house prisoner said it -is a good job he (witness) had found L- . outside, or he would have knifed iu=.n. Prisoner said that he had one or two drinks in the house, and had been robbed of L 4. His pocket-book had been taken out of his pocket, the money taken out, and his pocket-book returned. The accused was lined 10s., with the alternative of two days' imprisonment, with hard labour. WILFUL DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. The same prisoner was then charged with wilfully and maliciously breaking a clock belonging to Julia Ann Paul, valued at LI Is. Julia Ann Paul stated that about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon the prisoner went to her house with another man whom she knew. The other man went awav in about ten minutes, but the prisoner remained, and refused to go away. He locked her out of the house, and refused to allow her to enter. He said that if she went in he would stick her with a knife which he had in his hand. She went away for a constable, and during her absence prisoner broke a clock belonging to her, and turned the things upside down. She valued the clock at LI Is. She could not say whether the clock could be repaired. To Accused : You had no drinks in my house. I did not see anyone take a pocket-book from you. I was only in the house live minutes while you were there. You -vere drunk when you came to my house, and laid down on the floor. I told you to go away. Prisoner : It is no use asking any more questions, as the woman will swear anything. Witness to the Bench : I did not supply the prisoner with any drink. I know nothing of the money which lie saj's he lost. The other man was present when the accused said he was robbed. The prisoner then reiterated his statement about having been robbed of L 4. Constable Grant said that when in the lock-up prisoner stated that he had lost L 9. If necessary, he could bring a witness to prove that the prisoner had only Lll when he came to town, and that he had bought a silver watch and chain and a suit of clothing, so that the man could not have-lost the money stated. The Bench said that if the accused had lost the money, and could substantiate his statement, lie should place the matter in the hands of the police. There was no doubt that the prisoner had done some damage, but, considering that he had already been fined for being drunk, he would not be fined in this case. He would he ordered to pay 10s. for the damage done, or receive 48 hours' imprisonment m default of payment.