CHIRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 348, 25 June 1869, Page 3

CHIRISTCHURCH.

This Day. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M.) Vagk_ncy and BnoPLiFTiNG. — William Thomson, an able-bodied man, was brought up in custody, charged under the Vagrant Act, with b?gging in the streets, and on a second information with having stolen a rule from the shop of Morrow, Bassett and Co., Cashel street. Detective Feast said, whilst standing near Cobb and Co.'i officf, yesterday, he was accosted by the prisoner, who requested some coppers to procure bread. Ue had evidently been drinking, and witnts-) told him he had better go in search of work, cautioning him at the same time tbat begging in the streets would get him into trouble if the police heard of it. Prisoner then went away, but accosted several other persona near the Bank of Australasia, asking them for money, and subsequently going into the 6hop of Morrow, Bassett, and Co., where he remained some time. After coming out, he went to the Borough Hotel, and afterwards to the .Glasgow Arms and Barrett's Hotel. On the way he stopped several people, and witness saw him get some coppers from one of them. He also saw him offer the rule produced for sale, which had since been identified by the shopman of Morrow, Bassett, and Co. as having been stolen from the counter in the shop. From enquiries, witness had learnt thati with the coppers he had obtained in the street, prisoner tried to procure a half pint of beer at the Glasgow Arms, and witness finally arrested him near Barrett's Hotel. He had seen him in the city two or three days previously, and had ascertained that he had been begging at several places for beer and money. — Burke, bailiff of the Court, adduced that prisoner applied to him for relief on Wednesday, and thafc he recommended him to go to Mr McKay, the Immigration Officer. H. Fraser, shopman at Morrow, Bassett, and Co.'s, identified the rule produced as having been stolen from the shop counter yesterday. Prisoner applied there for money wiih which to purchase bread, and witness had been using the rule a short time before he came into the shop. In defence, prisoner said he was under the influence of drink, and did not know what he was doing. His Worship said this was a most paltry excuse, as the casa waa clearly one of deliberate shop-lifting. Prisoner was evidently a professional loafer, and it must be shewn that persons could not be allowed to come to thia province and prey on the community in such a manner with impunity. He would be sentenced to three months' imprisonment at hard labour.