Magisterial.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 168, 25 November 1868, Page 3

Magisterial.

CHRISTCHURCH. This Day.. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M.) Larceny. — Catherine Macdonald and Anne Osborne, on remand from yesterday for stealing a quantity of underclothing, were brought up for the production of further evidence. Constable O'Connor said he went to prisoner Osborne's house last night, and on searching the premises found the bundle of sheets and underclothing produced under a gooseberry bush. It had been carefully concealed from view, and was within a few paces of the front door. Mrs Dixon, the prosecutrix, had since examined it, and identified all the property as hers. Mrs Thurkle said the prisoner* called at her house on Sunday morning last. They stated they were going to milk in the paddock, and the prisoner Osborne had a skirt rolled up in her apron, which she said they had found on the road. Prisoner Macdonald wanted her to give it to witness, but she would not, replying that she would take it home. It was similar to the one produced, and prisoner Osborne took it away with her By prisoner Osborne: She did not hear anything said about giving it Hp to the police. Wm. Dennis said he saw the two prisoners together in a paddock early on Sunday morning, and Osborne showed him a skirt like the one produced, which she said she had found. He did not see Macdonald have any milk whilst in the paddock. His Worship said, from the manner of prisoner Osborne's pleading on the previous day, he had been very anxious to hear further evidence, but the result was that the articles stolen were actually found on her premises, whilst she had several times been seen in the company of Macdonald, who, there was not the slightest doubt, had stolen them. He regretted to find tuch to be the case, but it was only the natural result of the habits she had so long indulged in. He knew that she had been given to drinking extensively, and that she had been a great nuisance by persisting in communicating with bad characters whilst undergoing sentence in the gaol. She would be committed to four months' imprisonment at hard labour, and it was to be hoped that when she came out she would amend her ways. As for the prisoner Macdonald, nothing seemed likely to lead her to reform, and she would be committed to six months' similar imprisonment. Larceny as a Bailee. — Adam Stevens was brought up in custody, charged with having sold a saddle and bridle lent to him by John Bevins. Constable Jeffrey said, from information received he went to the British Crown Hotel last night, where the saddle and bridle produced were given to him as having been sold by the prisoner. Hetook them away, and shortly afterwards met prisoner in the street. He asked him

whether he had sold them^ to which he replied in the negative. Prosecutor then came up, and hsving identified the articles, witness took prisoner into custody, charging him with larceny as a bailee. After being cautioned in the usual manner, prisoner admitted the offence, and said it was all drink that had made him do it. John Bevins, farmer, residing at Lake Ellesmere, said the prisoner called at his house on Monday, the 1 6th inst., to borrow a saddle and bridle to go to Christchurch. He lent them to him on condition that they were returned next day, but prisoner failel to do so, and, after searching for him on the Plains, prosecutor came to Christchurch, where he found tbe saddle and bridle at Mr M'Guianess'. He afterwards saw prisoner at an hotel, and asked him about the saddle, when he said he had left it a mile above l 'ray thome's, and ridden in to Christchurch bare back. Witness valued the saddle and bridle at £8. Daniel McGuinness, hotelkeeper, Christchurch, said prisoner called at his house on Saturday afternoon, in company with another person to whom he was trying to sell the saddle and bridle produced. They did not come to terms, and prisoner then offered the saddle to witness for four notes. Witness declined to give that amount, but eventually purchased both articles for £3 10s. Prisoner declined to make any statement in defence, and was committed to take his trial at the next session of the Supreme Court.