Magisterial.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 755, 24 October 1870, Page 2

Magisterial.

CHRISTCHURCH. This Dat. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M., and his Worship the Mayor.) Drunkenness. — John Cunningham, arrested by Constable Wilson, was proved to have been drunk and incapable in Barbadoes street, between twelve and one o'clock on Sunday morning, and, though a previous offender, was, on promising to return to work at once, dismissed with a caution. Wife Desertion.— Robert Tindall, twice remanded for this offence, was again brought up. Mr J. B. March, Charitable Aid Officer, said prisoner had not yet n ade any arrangement, but Mr Comer had promised to pay the amount due to the Government, and to give

a guarantee for the children being properly cared for in future. His Worship said immediately this was done the prisoner might be discharged. Larcbnt. — John Robinson was brought up in custody on a charge of thiß nature. Detective Feast said he arrested prisoner at the City Hotel on Saturday afternoon, and told him he was charged with stealing sums of money from Mr Pyne and others at the Springston Station. He replied, " All right; you'll not find anything on me, and I don't think you will find anything out about Old Jack." Witness took him to the Depot, and on searching him, found a£l note, and 9s 6d in silver and copper upon him ; also a bill from Strange's for a shirt, tie, and collar, he is now wearing. Prisoner is also wearing a new pair of boots that he said he bought on Saturday morning. W. B. Pyne said he kept a farm at Springston, in partnership with his brother and Mr O'Callaghan. Prisoner had been cooking there for between five and six weeks. On Friday, the 21st, witness caw him there about three o'clock. He appeared rather intoxicated. Witness left shortly afterwards, and prisoner was the only man left on the place. Witness returned about half-past six, and prisoner had gone. He had said nothing about leaving. On going to his room, witness found that his pocket-book, containing three £1 notes, had been taken out of his coat pocket, and 19s 6d in silver out of bis vest pocket. He afterwards found the pocket-book empty on the bed. The money was all right the evening before. The pocket-book must have been put on the bed during witness' absence on the 2lst, as it could not possibly have been there before witness left. Witness knew prisoner had no money when he came to the station. Prisoner used to make the beds, and knew all the rooms well. A. J. Pyne, brother to, and partner with, last witness, said he left the station on the 21st, before hia brother. He believed that in the morning there was £2 10s in his pocket in the room. He returned between six and seven in the evening, and missed two £1 notes, the 10s being left, and three pence, which was also in the pocket, was lying on the bed. He also noticed that the trouseis had been moved from the place he remembered leaving them in. Elizabeth O'Callaghan said she resided at Springston Station. Prisoner was the only man about the premises after the Messrs Pyne left. During their absence she heard a man go up into their room. It must have been prisoner, for there was no one else about. Shortly afterwards she saw prisoner go towards the men's huts, but did not see him afterwards. He disappeared from the station. He said nothing about going away. It was about four o'clock when witness saw prisoner go towards the huts. William Mutton said he was employed on the Springston Station. On the 21st he was working on the farm . He last saw prisoner about dinner time ; he was rather intoxicated. All the other men went out to work at the 6ame time as prisoner. On returning about six o'clock, witness found all the clothes out of his box, and he missed two shillings from his purse. Witness' mate's clothes were also tossed about, his purse torn, and from 8s to 10s taken from it. Prisoner was gone, but had said nothing about going. Witness never saw prisoner have any money. John Taylor, farmer, Prebbleton, said on Friday, the 21st, prisoner came to his place about 7 p.m., asking for a conveyance to take him to Christchurch. He offered a note to any one who would drive him, and gave witness' son a note, and witness accordingly drove to town. He appeared to be in a hurry to get away, as witness offered to give him a shake-down, and offered to drive him into town next morning, all for nothing, if he would stay, but he would not. He said he had plenty of money, having worked at Springston Station, and wanted to patronise an hotel in town. On the road he shouted for all hands at two hotels, changing a note each time, although he had plenty of silver ; and, in reply to a remark as to the strangeness of this proceeding, he said he wanted to get rid of the notes as quick as he could. On arriving in town they went to the Caversham, where prisoner gave another note to the landlord, saying, "Take the 18s I owe you out of that." Witness also saw prisoner put another note into a sort of tin cash box he had. That made five notes in all that witness saw prisoner have in his possession. In speaking to the landlord of the Caversham, prisoner said he had made a good haul this time, and that he (the landlord) should reap the benefit of it, as he wanted to get rid of tbe money as soon as possible. Prisoner, who had declined to cross-examine any of the witnesses, said that he had nothing to say in defence, and was formally committed to take his trial at the next session of the Supreme Court.