CITY POLICE COURT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1323, 7 April 1877, Page 5

CITY POLICE COURT.

Thdbsday, 29th Mahch. .' '" - (Beforesl. N. Vv*att, Esq.^ R.'M.) ' ' „"', ' Axleged Labceny. —^Thomas -Barrett "was. charged with stealing a silver. watch valued at' L 5, the property of Bobert- Archibald.:'. Mr Dennisron appeared for the prisoner. <Ther complainant admitted that he was in- liquor at the time of the alleged larcsny; He had been driving in the prisoner's cab. "-Keferring/to the defendant, Mr Denniston enquired if- there' was any further evidence, and Isaid, '.'Anything better than this idiot!'' Constable Hen- I shaw/ of the North Dunedin OPolice Station,* deposed that the complainant;, 'was very drunk, I when the prisoner drove him to the station, fitness searched the cab, and found no .trace i of the watch. ,'This was .by mbonlight on Tuesday night. About £alf an hour af tef wards, the prisoner brought the watch to the station, and said that a gentleman found • the^watch in the cab; The gentleman," whom the prisoner said he did not know,i refused? to [go to. .the station with him.. "Witness ■ 'then} charged the prisoner' with stealing. Mr Denniston' .con-, tended that the action of ;the; prisoner,- -under the circumstances, was qu'te inconsistent with . his alleged guilt. • His Worship, in. dismissing the case, said that; the Police had' done, their duty in proceeding against the ( accuSed.f-rln- I spector Mallard wished to state ,why. the Police ] had brought the. case. Mr.Denniaton objected : to any statements being . made' after ,the case. , was closed, and quite.' &• scene I ensued. , The, ■ learned counsel ana the Inspector 'Were,en T deavouring to address the Court togetherywhen Inspector Mallard declared that he was not to be put down, and made a -statement concerning the previous character of .the piisoner.' His. Worship, finding . that Inspector Mallard aadr Mr Deuhiston continued .to ignqre- his.au-^ thority, exclaimed, " I will commit you both if you don't sit down !" The orators; resumed their seats. His Worship said he djdnot think , it right for Inspector Mallard to make Ithe statement ho had done concerning ,theiprigoner. It would .have been ■ proper > had the; prisoner ' b ; eßn convicted of the , 'offence 1 j'uowj. preferred, sjgainst. him. — Mr Denniston ('sotio.'vocciiil-, shall report .that to.head quarters,!. .The oase was dismissed, His' Worship ,agaui .explaining i that inibringingdti =the Police;had simply, .donef. their duty. - i ■ „.,•»< „,„,., ;,., L , o j