CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1482, 27 November 1872, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

(Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M.) Laeceny of a. Till. —Thomas "Wadsworth was charged with an offence of this nature. Constable O'Malley : Tho pri9onor was given into my custody by Barfcley, the barman at the Central Hotel, on a charge of stealing a shilling from the bar till. I seai'ched him, and found a shilling upon him. John 13artley : lam barman at the Central Hotel. Prisoner came into the bar about oight o'clock, and asked me for half a piut of beer on " tick." I gave him the beer, and went to the kitchen for some hot water. Prisoner was alone in tho bar during my absence. When I returned to the bar door I saw him take his hand out of the till, and then shut the till. I looked into the till, and missed a shilling, a threepenny, and a four-penny piece. Prisoner was leaning over the bar counter in a stooping position. I caught hold of his hand, and he droppod a shilling. Piisoner denied the theft at iirsfc, but afterwards admitted to MrHiorns, 1

the landlord, that he had taken a shilling Edward Hiorns : I am landlord of the Central Hotel. I was called into the bar, and prisoner admitted before me that he had taken a shilling from the till. Sergeant Willis : I knew the pi-isoner afc Titnaru. He used to go on the spree for a long time once. While I was at Timaru he was constantly drunk, except for a month oi" two. Prisoner was sentenced to one month's imprisonment with, hard labour.