POLICE COURT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5610, 15 November 1889, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

(Before J. Booth, Esq., R.M.) ELLEN" HAN-LON- V. GIBSON KIRK TURTON". Gibson Kirk Turton was charged with the liirceny of one family bible, valued at 00s, of the goods and chattels of the informant, Ellen Hanlon. Sargeat Bullen asked for the information to be amended, the value of the bibla being now not more than ss, though it might have been 30s when new 14 years ago. Ellen Hanlon deposed that accused came to her house on October 23rd. John Stewart and witness were both sober. Turton was drank at the time — almost in the horrors. He asked for some clothes, and witness told him as they were not tit to be kept inside she had thrown them out. He walked into her bedroom and deliberately went to the table and said "By God, I'll tear your bible up." It was a large family bible. There were papers in the bible — her husband's will, life insurance policy, fire insurance policy, letters from India, and other papers. He went away to the Waikanae. The bible cost L 2 15s when purchased eighteen years ago, and it had been in use since then. Had since seen the bible all torn at Mrs Pearson's. The bible produced (much damaged) was hers. Mr Turton used to borrow the bible from her when he was in the Army to get references out of. Lately he had been forbidden to come on the premises. By Turton : It was at 1 o'clock you came ; there was no wind blowing. Did not think there was an empty beer bottle on the table, nor that she had been drinking that day. Did not tell you that "I felt so faint that I wanted a drink," but you took me over to Harding's and . shouted a drink. Used often to do your washing. Had known you for six years, and found you a good friend, but I was a better one to you. Had known you to take the name of the Almighty in vain. Had read very little of the bible herself. The only person that read the bible was Hanlon. [The cross - examination was continued at great length with a view to shaking witness' veracity.] Peter Pearson, 12 years of age, re* membered seeing accused on the foot* bridge at the Waikanae some time ago near evening. He was tearing a book to pieces and throwing the leaves into the Waikanae. He also threw the book in. Witness went to the mouth of the creek and caught the leaves and the book. Constable Hanson deposed that he received the book from Pearson on Thursday last. Defendant, under the new Act, vnt into the box and gave evidence that he admitted that on October 23rd he went to Mrs Hanlon's and asked for his wash'ig. He said, "It would serve you right that if your bible was in the right place I could take it until you gave me my washing." Stewart could not see what he was doing. Was in the house three or four minutes, and after leaving went to the Waikanae bridge and tore up some papers, and made little balls and slung them at a ship that was floating by. Mr Turton asked for a remand until Tuesday to get further evidence for his defence. His Worship granted the application, and bail was allowed. FALSE PRETENCES. W. Cantle pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining board under false pretences from the informant Mrs Menzies. Mrs Menzies stated defendant was ready to pay the amount of claim, and she would withdraw the charge. Sergeant Bullen in agreeing to this course said that the practice of withdrawing informations of this kind was now becoming too common, and that ho would oppose anything of a like nature in future. The Government had distinctly stated that no case would allowed to be withdrawn unless all expenses in connection with the case were paid by the parties. The payment of all costs being made, the Court allowed the case to be withdrawn.