MAGISTERIAL

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4985, 18 April 1889, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL

GERALDINE— Wednesday, Apbil 17th

(Before the Rev. G. Barclay and R. H Postlethwaite, Esq., J.P.s )

PLYING POE FOB HIRE -WITHOUT A LICENSE. Albert Hoskins was charged with unlawfully plying for hire, he being without a license.

Defendant pleaded not guilty. James Rennie deposed that on the morning of the 11th inst, the first day of the races, he saw. Hoskins taking a load of people through the town to the racecourse. He afterwards saw Hoskins piling for hire,though he did not see him asking for or receiving money. George Fox also deposed to seeing Hoskins plying for hire. Constable Willoughby said that under instructions from the Geraldine Town Board he stopped Hoskins at the gate of the racecourse on the 11th inst, and demanded to know why he was plying without a license. Hoskins denied it. He was not driving the trap. ~ , . Fred Warner said that Hoskins gave him the mare and buggy to drive to the racecourse and back. There was no money passed. Witness did not receive any money, nor did ho see Hoskins receive any. Defondane said that on the 10th he received a telegram from a friend in Ashburton to meet him at Orari at the .last train. Drove him to the races and also one other passenger who tendered his fair, but defendant refused to take it. Everyone be carried he carried as friends. The bench decided to dismiss the case as there was not sufficient evidence to convict. LAHCSJNY. Albert Hoskins was charged under arrest than he did on the 16th inst. feloniously take steal and carry away a bushel of oats the property of George Fox. Prisoner pleaded “ not guilty.” Constable Willoughby asked for a remand for eight days as one of his most important witnesses wished to leave for Oamaru for the holidays. Prisoner objected to the remand. Constable Willoughby in evidence stated that bn Sunday evening, Fox informed him that Hoskins had been habitually stealing oats from bis stable. Witness planted himself, and on the second afternoon (the 16th inst) of watching succeeded in catching prisoner red-handed with the spoil on his back. Asked prisoner what he had in the bag, and he said, “ oats ” and said that Fox’s daughter had given him leave to take them. Went down to prisoner’s shop with him. Fox’s daughter being there, and asked her if she had given prisoner leave to take the oats. She answered, “ No.” George Fox, sworn, said ho had never given prisoner leave to take the oats. The remand was granted to Thursday, the 25th inst. The Court then rose.