MAGISTERIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6379, 26 October 1888, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

POLICE COURT;

CHEISTCHURCH. This Day. (Before E. Westenra, J. C. Wilson, and J. V. EO3B, Esqs.) Laecent. — William painie pleaded " Guilty " to stealing a pair of boots, value 63 lid, from Richard Payne. Mr Pender said the man had taken the boots when under the influence of drink. He was a respectable man with nine children. ! Accused was remanded in order to enable j the Probation Officer to make enquiries as 1 to hi 3 character. Alleged False Pretences. — James Early was charged that at Ashburton on April 1 he did by means of false representations obtain from one William i Mitchell 103 in money, and clothes to the value of £A 16s. Mr Pender said the man had been arrested at Rangiora on an information issued at Ashburton. He asked that accused should be remanded to appear at Ashburton on the following day. The remand was granted. Jumping off the Tsain.. — Egesto Bruni, an Italian, was charged with alighting from the train while in motion at the Chripfcchurch railway station. Constable Keliy said that on Sunday week lie saw the young man jump from the train and j stagger several paces along the platform. i"ined Is, and costs, 7s. By-laws. — William Marriott, for allowing his horse to wander on Stanmore road, was fined 5s. — Deborah Neilson, two cows in Cotterill street, Sydenham, 5s. — William E. Brown, one cow, Bedford street, Belfast, ss. Dbtti*kennes3. — Charles Frederick [ Han sen was charged with drunkenness, ! using obscene language, and indecency. ; Fined 5s for drunkenness, and ordered to j be imprisoned for twenty-four hours for | the obscenity ; the third charge was withdrawn. "• Pig-Killing. — John Fletcher, Herbert j Fletcher, and Henry Holmes were charged with unlawfully killing four pigs, the property of Hancock Bros., at Middleton. Mr Holmes appeared for the boy Holmes, and said he previously bore a very good character. He hoped that the case could be dealt with in such a manner as to obviate the necessity of sending the boys to the Supreme Court. He pointed out that if the boy 3 were convicted in the upper Court they would probably be brought under the Probation Act. Mr Pender said the boys went on two occasions, and killed four pigs the first time and six the second. All the animals were killed with Btones. The police bad laid the informations, and as things stood he did not think they had the power to withdraw the charge. He understood that Messrs Han- ! cock were willing to withdraw the charge. Mr Holmes said that if the charge had been brought under section 41 of the Malicious Injury to Property Act, it could have been dealt with summarily. He regretted that the charge could not have been brought under that section of the Act. The Bench decided to go on with the case. Thomas Page : Worked for Hancock at Middleton, j where they kept a lot of pigs. On Sunday, Oct. 7, at 2.30 p.m., saw the boya in Hancock's pig-styes kicking and stoning the pigs. Witness went up, and accused ran away. The pigs were from about six weeks old, up to an average size. Witness found two dead, one inside, another outside the stye! Several had their eyes knocked out, and bore the marks of kicks j and stones, and others had since died. A ! man named Eichard Hawkey looked after ! the pigs. Eiohard Hawkey : Looked after Hancock's boiling-down plant and piggery at Middleton. Examined the pigs the same evening, and again next morning and found six dead. Altogether had lost twenty-nine, all of which showed no signs of disease, and bore marks. About twenty bad died since Oct. 7, including the sis first found. They belonged to Hancock Bros., and were worth 10s to 12s each. Arthur Hancock carried on business with hia brother, Albert Hancock, in a boiling-down establishment at Middleton. Saw the pigs on Tuesday.Oct. 9. Hawkey reported twenty-nine dead altogether. Constable Gaffney said that Holmes admitted kicking and stoning the pigs. He believed they killed three ou Oct. 7. The other boyß made a similar admission, but thought the number killed on that date was two. The boys were then formally committed to take their trial at the nest criminal sessions of tbe Supreme Court. The same accused were then charged with killing another four pigs of Hancock Bros, on Sept. 30. Henry Page, and Eichard Hawkey, again gave evidence. Holmes said the pigs were killed by "jockey boys." The other two admitted the affair. Accused were committeed for trial on the second charge ; bail wa3 allowed. Alleged Laeceny as a Bailee. — Joseph. Oram Sheppard was charged that, being the bailee'of a [promissory note for £9& 16s 3d, signed by Richard Norman. Newby, and endorsed by one Charles Oram, he did, on June 16, convert the Bame to his own use, and did steal the same. Mr Martin applied for a remand until Monday next. Mr Joynt, who appeared for the accused, made no objection, and the remand was granted, bail being extended to that date, with the understanding that the case be gone into at the Police Court (Provincial Council Chambers), at half-past ten in the morning.