MAGISTERIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6647, 20 November 1899, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

* *- CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, Nov. 20. (Before Mr J. M. Thompson, J. P., and Mr G. Tombs, J.P.) Theft. — Daniel Ferguson, on remand, was charged with having on Nov. 11, 1899, stolen from Christina M'Kenzie a purse and jewellery of the value of 255. The accused had since the remand been examined as to the state of his mind, and Sub-Inspector O'Brien now said tliat the doctor would not certify to bis insanity. The Bench sentenced the accused to three months' imprisonment with hard labour. (Before Mr R. Westenra, J. P., Mr C. HoodWilliams, J.P., and Mr H. R. Webb, J.P.) Drunkenness and Vagrancy.-— Mary MKegney, a very old offender, pleaded guilty to charges of drunkenness and vagrancy. For the first offence she^as fined ss, or twenty-four hours' imprisonnjeGi, and for the second three months' imprisonment. Indecency. — Frank Foster, for whom^Mr Joyce appeared, pleaded not guilty to\a charge of indecency. The accused was* sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour. Alleged Forgery. — Richard Hata Momo, charged with having on 8 forged tbe name of Joe Solomon-, to an order for the payment of 10s, with intent to defraud, was remanded until Friday. Theft. — Thomas M'Ginity, on remand, pleaded not guilty to having, at the Riccarton racecourse, on Nov. 9, 1899, stolen a totalisator ticket, of the value of £6 12s, the property of William Horgan. William Horgan, leading seaman of H-M.S. Mildura, deposed that he was at Riccarton oni Nov. 9. Accused told witness to back First Blood, and witness did so, and invested £1 for himself and four shipmates. The horse won, and witness went to draw the dividend, which was £6 12s 6d. On nearing the totalisator the accused took the ticket out of witness's hand and passed it to a man who was standing near, saying, "My friend will draw your money." Witness had not since seen the man to whom the ticket had been given, nor had he received the money. Witness asked accused why he had given his ticket to a strange man, and accused replied, "That will be all right, old man ; I'll be responsible for your money.' Witness kept close to accused until the races were over. Accused had said a man named Dan Gillespie, who lived in Madras Street, and worked at- Scott's Foundry, had the money. The accused got away from witness in town, and witness found that the house which accused had pointed out as Gillespie's was occupied by Salvation Army people. Witness subsequently saw accused at the trotting meeting at Addington. Accused again told witness that his money would be all right. Witness and accused took a cab and went to a house in Madras Street, and accused asked if Dan Gillespie lived there, but a negative answer was received. Witness inquired of the house next door, and was told tliat the name of Gillespie was not known in that locality. Accused then proposed to go back to the races, saying that a man named Burke would give him the money if they failed to find Gillespie. Witness and accused subsequently started for the races in a cab. Accused got out and bolted, but witness ran him to earth in a bouse. The owner of tho house, an old lady, objected to their presence, and refused to lend the accused, who was a stranger to her, £2. Witness then took accused to the police station. To accused: Witness had two tickets on Fu*st Blood in the race. George Scott deposed that no man named Gillespie had worked.-at Messrs Scott Bros. Foundry within the last fivo years. Agnes Newlove, a married woman, residing at 27, Madras Street south ; and Edgar James Whitehurst, a seaman on H.M.S. Mildura, having given evidence, the accused, who reserved liis defence, was committed for trial at the next criminal sittings of the Supreme Court. Bail was allowed the prisoner, in £100 and two sureties of £50 eacb. (Before Mr R. Beetham, S.M.) Civil Cases. — Judgment went for plaintiff, by default of the appearance of defendant,'with costs, in the following cases: — Berry and Co. v. C. G. Laurie, claim £3 5s ; "Lyttelton Times" Company v. S. Bird, £17 17s 3dj and Laery and Co. v. A. Parsons, £1 4s.— F. Adams v. J. Sorton, claim £1 15s. Mr Bishop appeared for the plaintiff. Judgment went for plaintiff, with costs. —J. F. Stratz v. C. C. Sommers, 'claim £2 5s for jewellery supplied. The defendant counter-elaimed'for £2 12s 6d for advertising in the Union Almanac. Mi* Lane was for the plaintiff, and Mr Wilding for the defendant. Judgment went for the plaintiff for £2 ss. -