Resident Magistrate's Court.

Southland Times, Issue 4494, 5 December 1882, Page 2

Resident Magistrate's Court.

(Before H. McCullocb, Esq., R.M.) Monday, 4th Dec. drunkenness. A first offender pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness, and was fined 5s ; having been in the lock-up since Saturday night. THEFT OF A FRYING-I'AN. Frederick Middleton was charged with having no visible means of subsistence, and also with stealing a frying-pan. Constable O'Leary deposed to having seen the accused walking about both night and day in North Invercargill for the last t%vo months, during which time he had been living in a brothel. Tho accused professed to be a bricklayer's laborer, but never did any work. The tradesmen in tho neighborhood frequently complained of hia prowling about at night. Corroborative evidence was given by Detective Edo and Mr Garmson. The accused called several witnesses to prove that he had worked for them a couple of months ago, and that he had a contract with one of them to put up a fence when the summons was issued against him. Prisoner stated that one witness whom ho had subpeened, but w ho did not appear, could prove that he had been working for him only a couple of weeks ago. At the suggestion of his Worship, the charge was subsequently withdrawn. The accused was then charged with stealing a frying-pan, value Bs, from the hospital. The frying-pan was identi- | fied us one sold to the hospital, and miased I from there a short time ago. It had since been pawned for 3s Gd by a woman named Murray, who deposed that it was given to her by the prisoner. When arrested, prisoner alleged that the pan was given to him by a woman named Grant, who, however, appeared to deny the insinuation. Prisoner then said the pan was in his house when he went into it and as he did not want it he gave it away. His Worship said he had no doubt the prisoner stole the pan, and he would accordingly sentence him lo two months' imprisonment. When he came out he advised him to leave the town. Such dangerous characters as he evidently was could not be tolerated prowling about the streets at night. The prisoner : They want to hi'nt me out of the district. The prisoner, against whom there were previous convictions, was then led out of Court. THE RAILWAY PRECINCTS. James Goldie was charged with plying a cab for hire within the precincts of the j railway station without a license from the General Manager. It appearing that tho preeiuets in question were very ill defined. The defendant was let off with a fine of os. THE ABSCONDING CONTRACTOR. Mrs Bennett, wife of the absconding contractor, applied for an order protecting her earnings. Applicant stated that her husband had contributed nothing to her support for several years, and had now completely deserted her. He had besides, raised money on her property. The* order was granted. Mr Finn appeared in support of the application.