Magisterial.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 544, 16 February 1870, Page 2

Magisterial.

CHKISTCHURCH. This Dat. (Before C. C. Bo wen, Esq., R.M.) Fkuit Stealing. — Hugh Widdowson, a boy nine years of age, was brougftt up in custody, charged with havinpr Btolen fruit from the garden of Mr li. W. Fereday. The prosecutor stated that for some time past large quantities of fruit had disappeared from the garden, many of the trees, in fact, being quite stripped, and he at length determined to watch for the thieves. He accordingly sat up last night, and at half-past six this morning he saw the prisoner get through a gap in the fence into the garden. Once there he commenced pulling apples and pears as fast as he could. Prosecutor watched him a minute or two, and then went towards him, when he ran away, bus wes captured with the apples and pears produced— about 3lbs weight — in his possession. When questioned, be admitted that ha had been to the garden more than once previously for a aim lar purpose, and that he eat a portion of the fruit he stole, but se reted the remainder. In reply to the liench, the boy had nothing to say in extenuation of his conduct ; but his father being in Court, averred that it was the flrot time the boy had^peen known to be guilty of any such offence. He had apparently got iutu bad company amongst his school-fellows, as he was generally a rery well-conducted hoy. Mr Fereday, in support of this, said that the boy, when caught, alleged that he had been asked to get the fruit by two of his

school companions. His Worship said, under these circumstances, he would deal leniently with the prisoner, whom, after severely admonishing, and poiuting out the punishment lie would receive if again brought up, ordered him to be handed over to his father for [unishment. Desertion. — Richard Robinson and W. H. Ottaway wex - e brought up on suspicion of having deserted from the Bhip Glencoe; but the Lyttelton police having been communicated with by telegraph, their identity was not made out, and they were dismissed. Kobbery of a Watch. — Francis Edwards was charged with having stolen a silver watch from the house of Mr William Hicks, of the Sandhills. Detective Feast said he arrested prisoner yesterday, and explained the charge in the usual manner. In reply to it, he denied ever having done anything of the kind. Witness knew that a watch had been found at Mr Rossiter's, in Lyttelton, and identified by the prosecutor. It is now in the possession of the police at Lyttelton. The prosecutor, in evidence, stated that he wbb a farmer down • the Avon. About two months ago, the , prisoner called at his house in the evening, ■ and on the following day prosecutor missed a lady's silver watch. There was a silk i guard attached to it. He had since seen the watch at Mr Rossiter's, in Lyttelton. This ! was about a fortnight ago. This was all the , evidence ready, and the prisoner declining to ask any questions, Inspector Pender asked ■ for a remand until the following morning, in ■ order that the watch might be produced, and i Mr Rossi ter subpoenaed to give evidence, i From the description given by the latter of the person from whom he purchased the watch there could be no doubt that the i prisoner was the right one. His Worship, on this assurance, acceded to the request.