CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 167, 24 November 1868, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

This Blt, (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M.) Larcent.— Catherine Macdonald and Anne Osborne were brought up in custody charged with having stolen a quantity of underclothing, the property of Mrs Dixon, Peterborough street. Detective Feast said from information received, he went to the house of the prisoner Osborne, and asked her to let him look at a dress which had been left with her by Macdonald. She gave him the skirt produced, saying that herself and Macdonald found it near the Gorernment Buildings, and that if she knew whom it belonged to she would give it up. He took possession of it, and eventually arrested both prisoners yesterday morning. The information he received about the dress was that a bundle had been stolen from Mr Dixon's, Peterborough street, and Macdonald had been seen about the premises. He bad seen both prisoners drinking together several times before arresting them. Mrs Dixon said on Saturday evening last, she had occasion to leave her house a short time, and on her return missed a bundle of underclothing, which she had left on a chair near the door. The skirt produced was in the bundle, and was her property. It was between five and six o'clock whon she went out, and she left the door open. She had seen prisoner Maedonald near the house previous to Saturday la*t. She was sitting on the door step, and prosecutrix ordered her away, telling her that aha had no business there. Prisoner replied that she wanted some work to do, and prosecutrix told her to come again and she would give her half a day's employment. Prisoner then went away, but did not return. James O'Brien, residing in Chester street, said he saw prisoner Macdonald near his house on Saturday evening last. She hud a parcel under her right arm, and a skirt like the one produced under her left, with a bottle of beer in her hand. Mary Bennett, residing near the Wesleyan Chapel, said prisoner Macdonald called at her mother's shop on Saturday evening, and asked to be permitted to leave a bundle and a dress skirt for a short time. The skirt produced is like the' one she wanted to leave. Witness would not let her leave the things, as shedid not like to take charge of them ;in the absence of her mother. In defence, prisoner Macdonald denied that the skirt produced was the one O'Brien saw in her possession, and said that the parcel she wanted to leave with Mrs Bennett had been left with a friend. The prisoner Osborne denied ever having taken drink in the company of Macdonald, who, however, had been once or twice to her house to try to get in. She also awoke her on Sunday morning, and asked for" some milk, as she was Very ill from drinking and had wandered, about all night. Prisoner Osborne, whose husband was away from home, got up and told her to go with her to the' paddock, -when she could have some immediately m thecbw'being milked. They went together, and on the way saw the skirt produced lying on the gorse. Me Donald said, " take it and give it to Mrs

TChutkle," but Osborne refused, saying "No, it has been lost, and I will give it to the police." She tben took it home and ■gave it to Detective Feast as stated. Constable Connor said he knew where the paddock referred to by prisoner Osborne was. and had been on duty in the Vicinity between four and half-past six every morning for some days past. He bad seen prisoner Osborne go to milk her cow up to Friday, but on Saturday, and the following morning he did not see her at all. It was impossible for her or Macdonald to have gone to the paddock . without him seeing her. Prisoner Osborne then said, on the mornings named, she did not go the usual way to the paddock, *• she went round bj a Mrs. Thurkie's, whom she wanted to get to wash for her. His Worship laid he was anxious to hear if there was any truth in her statement, and adjourned the case for the production of the latter witness. . . :