LYTTELTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 550, 23 February 1870, Page 2

LYTTELTON.

(Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M.) Stealing Fruit.— Mrs Westlake and Mrs Neale again appeared to answer this charge. Mrs Harriet Newton deposed that on Thursday she saw Ellen Kerr in Mr Rogers' garden, and she told her (witness) that Mr Roger; had given ber permission to take tbe fruit. As witness was going out of the garden she met Mrs Westlake and ber daughter going in. Mrs Westlake said Bhe might as well have some fruit. By Mr Rogers: Mrs Neale said she had got permission to take the fruit. My husband shook the pear-tree, and when he got down he ffflund that the pears which had fallen had been picked up. He was up in the tree when he shook it. After he saw the fruit had been picked, up, he said it was time to clear out. By the Bench: My husband never gave the accused permission: I will swear tbat. When my husband shook the pear tree, the accused picked up the fruit. The accused said that Newton gave them permission ; they called Ellen Kerr, sister of Mrs Neale, who stated that Mr Newton told her the place was . free. By Mr Rogers : You did not give me permission. Mrs Westlake, re-called, said she met accused in London street, who said to her, we have got into a fine row about the fruit, but there are three to one, T. Newton, recalled — By Mrs Neale : I never took you to a peach tree to show you the fruit. By Bench : After I left the garden, the accused were in it for two hours. The Bench said it was a most impudent robbery, and the defence set up was more impudent. It had come before the knowledge of the Bench that most scandalous robberies had been committed during the fruit season. A light sentence would be imposed this time, seven days' imprisonment in Christchurch gaol, Tbe accused, who were evidently confounded at the sentence, were then removed.