RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2999, 25 September 1878, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

TrilS DAY

(Before A. J. Allom and H. Goldsmith, Esqs., J's.P.) DBUNEENNESS. One individual was punished in the usual manner for this offence. ,-.... v ■.; .:.. .;. .':',, LAEC3NY. ;. .. '.;' ' .'' : : Daniel and Thomas McTnany, two old offenders, were charged with stealing a; quantity of firewood of the value of Icsb than £5, from Tairua, the property of Francis Day kin. The defendants pleaded not guilty. In the absence of Mr Bullen, Sergeant Jackson conducted the case. - Fraucia Day kin, sworn, deposed—l am a mine manager residing at Shortland. I own a quantity of firewood stacked at Tj'airua. There is only my firewood there, and it is stacked behind the battery. I gave one of the defendants leave to live in a hut but not to use the firewood. Mr Hale was looking after my property at Tairua. , :• ■.■= . . ,:,;.-/■■-[ , . „.,; ,

By D. McTnany—l gave permission to you to live in my whare. I don't recollect telling you to keep an eye about. Mr Hale put up notices cautioning people not ■to interfere with timber.

By'T. Mclnany-!—The firewood is in a pile. Robert Hale, sworn, deposed-rE reside at, Tairua, and know the defendants. I Jive about five minutes walk from where they reside. On Friday last I went over to the battery and saw the defendants go down to the tramway with a truck, load it and take it to their whare. There would be about a truck load taken on that occasion, or worth about 7s 6d. I noticed the prisoners take the hard wood. and throw the light wood on one side. By D. Mclnany—'here is so much likeness betwean you and your third brother, who also lives up there, that I cannot swear that you were present. I have no doubt but that, it was you that was stealing the wood. By T. Mclnany—l have heard of people taking firewood. Constable Gordon, sworn, deposed—l arrested the defendants on this charge. Daniel Mclnany said he took a few sticks, to light his fire. The Bench: Dan Mclnany gets off by the skin of his teeth ; Tom Mclnany goes to prison for one month. Court adjourned.