CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5161, 17 November 1884, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH.

This Day (Before R. Beetham, Esq., R.M.) Drunkenness, &c. — Two men, who were accused of this offence for the first time, were each fined ss, or 24 hours' imprisonment in default. — Thomas Wai-d was fined J 10s, and Frank Sprigg 5s. — Arthur Webb and Richard Chainbei-lain, who had had a dispute over a game of bowls, and had a fight in Colombo street, were fined 10s each. Prohibition Order. — On the application of 'Mrs Anderson, the Court made an order prohibiting the hotelkeepei-3 of Christchurch from supplying liquor to Thomas Anderson, shoemaker. Inspector Pender said he had known the defendant previously as a respectable, sober man, but he had recently taken too much drink. Alleged Attempted Robbers.— Thomas Mullins was .charged on remand with attempting to rob Angus Hart on the racecourse on Nov. 14. The remand had been granted to see if the police conld secure another man who was supposed to have been implicated. Inspector Pender now stated that he had no further evidence to adduce to support the statement of Hart, who had been the worse for liquor on Nov. 14, nor did he hope to obtain further evidence. His Worship said he could not detain accused simply on this statement, and the man was discharged. Stealing from the Person. — Frank Sprigg was accused of stealing from the person of Thomas Topping, a silver watch, value .£lO, on Nov. 14. Prisoner was undefended. Inspector Pender called the following witnesses: Thomas Topping, a farmer at Sefton, deposed that on Nov. 14 he was accosted by accused at Barrett's Hotel. Had some beer with him. Was close to him in the bar ; had a silver lever watch and chain in the vest pocket. The watch produced was the same ; it had cost witness £10 two years ago. Stayed with prisoner about half an hour, and then went to the Prince of Wales Hotel, where witness boarded. Missed the watcn on the way thither, and found the chain hanging by the button-hole. The swivel of the watch chain was open. Reported the matter to the police the same evening. To prisoner: I did not give you the watch to mind. I was not exactly sober, but sober enough to know all i^iat passed, and make no mistake about it. Percy Jackson, a boy employed as assistant to Mr Cohen, pawnbroker, Colombo street, said that prisoner came to the shop about 6 o'clock on Friday evening and sold the watch to Mr Cohen for £1 15s. Prisoner at first wished to pawn the watch, and Mr Cohen said he would advance £1 5s on it. Afterwards Mr Cohen said he would give the man 10s more and purchase the watch. When presenting the watch, prisoner gave the name of Ford, but he signed a receipt for the money, "Frank Sprigg." DetecO'Connor deposed that about 12.30 p.m. on Sunday, when prisoner was in the lockup for drunkenness, witness charged him with stealing the watch. Prisoner 6aid he knew nothing about it. About an hour afterwards prisoner said to witness, " I remember a little about that watch now. The man who lost the watch and I were drinking at Mr Barrett's. We went outside, and he gave me the watch to wind up, and I being drunk, or the temptation, or something, I sold the watch." The accused was committed for trial. Discharged. — Peter M'Donald, on remand, was charged with imposing on John Batley, licensee of the Oxford Hotel, by false representation's whereby he obtained the sum of £7. Mr Russell appeared for the accused. The false representations alleged to have been made were with refer auce to the accused having money coming to him' from Mr Parkerson, stationholder at Kaituna, upon whom accused had given an order for £1 to Mr Batley. T. W. Parkerson, brother of the manager of the station, stated in his evidence that accused had been employed on this station from Feb. 5 till within a week or ten days ago. He had been away "on the spree " in June last, and then there was about £15 due to him under a contract which was nearly completed. The only reason why the order was not honoured was because the manager never recognised these orders. After this witness had given his evidence his Worship at once ordered the accused to be discharged.