RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1875, 6 January 1875, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIS DAT.

(Before E. W. Fuckey and W. A. Peraton, Esqa., JP's.

FU?IOUS BIDING AND CONTEMPT OF COUET.

Joshua Lenton was charged with, neglecting to appear in obedience.to a summons for a breach of section 16, Bye-law No. 3, Borough of Thames, by., furiously riding in a publ c -place, to wit, Pollenstreet, Shortland, on the sth instant.

Defendant pleaded guilty. Mr Bullen said the defendant had been apprehended on warrant fov disobeying a summons of tho Court. He had been seen riding furiously on tlia morning in question, and on beimicallfd to had takon no notice but continue:! his cour.se.

Fined 20s and costs

STEALING- A WATCH

Marian Paul was charged that she did feloniously steal take and carry away one silver watch of the value of £5, the property of Henry Austin, on the sth of January.

Accused pleaded not guilty. Mr Bullen seated the circumstances of the case. He said the prosecutor was under tho influence of liquor at the Melbourne Hotel yesterday, and went to lie down in a room, the prisoner being in the room at ti.e same -time. He didn't kno\V whether he slept, but he missed tho watch and accused prisoner of taking it. She denied and lie searched her. Prosecutor then told the licensre, who also made a search, but the watch'couldn't be found. This morning Constable iirennan recovered the watch on a search wan-ant.

Henry Austin, deposed on oath—Thathe was a bushman. Was at the Melbourne Hotel yesterday the worse of liquor, on a bit of a spree. Lay down in a bedroom at the Hotel. Saw the prisoner tliTe in the bedroom, and the child. The watch and chain produced belonged to witness, lie had it yesterday, and missed it while he was in the bedroom. The chain was fast to the button, and lie found it hanging down. Didn't know how it got broke, (The witness evinced great reticence in answering questions, and volunteered a statement that he didn't want to accuse anyone. The watch might have dropped out, he said). Didn't accuse the woman of having the watch. Told her the watch was not in his pocket. He was looking about the room, and just put put his hand on her head, more for a lark than anything. Did tell the constable all about it. The watch was worth £5. Bought it seven months ago when ho gave more than £5 for it, but it might not be worth that now. Did not make a present of the watch to anybody. (Throughout his examination prosecutor showed a disinclination to say anything to convict the accused.) .Accused here put several irrelevant questions to prosecutor, the volubility of the speaker preventing the possibility of ■ Reporting them.

Henry Gidleigh, licensee of the Melbourne Hotel, sworn, deposed—That he recognised the prisoner, who came down from Auckland about Sunday and had been staying at the Melbourne Hotel since that day. - Remembered the lasfc witness being at the hotel yesterday. Could hardly see that he was the worse for liquor. He had no bedroom appointed to himself. The prisoner had a bedroom, but she went into the room of a boarder with Austin, and witness put them both out. After that witness heard Austin say something about losing a watch. Witness spoke to prisoner about the watch, but she said she hadn't it. Saw Detective Brennan at the Hotel thi* morning. Did not see lrm find the. watch, but he showed witness the room, which was the, same as prisoner and Austin were put out of by witness. . Accused here put similar questions to those put to the former witness, which were principally in the form of assertions.

Petective Brennan deposed to having proceeded to the Melbourne Hotel this. morning in consequence of information received from Ihe prosecutor. Austin. Searched the room pointed out to him as that in which prisoner and Austin 7 had been in. Found the watch produced, hidden under some clothes which were, under a small dressing table. Prisoner was present when witness found the watch. Charged her with stealing it. She said she didn't take it.

Thi3 was the case for the prosecution. Accused simply denied . that she had taken (he watch. The Court found the, case was not proved against the prisoner, who was discharged. DKUNKEffNESS. Henry Austin was charged with having been drunk and incapable in Albert-street, Grahamstown, on the 6th instant. Defendant admitted the charge, and was* fined 10s and costs, or 24 hours' imprisonment. < The Court adjourned.