MAGISTERIAL

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8004, 6 May 1904, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL

OHRISTCHUECJdE. Fbujay, Mat 6. (Before Mr A. Scott, J.P., Mr E. W. Samuels, J.P., and Mr E. C. Skog, J.P.) Dbttnkbnness. — Two first offenders were each fined 5s and costSi in default twentyfour hours' imprisonment'. — A female first offender was convicted and discharged. — James Oook, with two previous xioavictions recorded against him -within the last six months, was fined 10s and costs, in default forty-eight hours' imprisonment.~~ i -Jahn Rigby (Mr Vincent) was fined 40s, in. default fourteen days' imprisonment. Obscene Language and Drunkenness. — John Friend, with three previous convictions against him for drunkenness within the last six months, was fined 10s, in default forty-eight hours' imprisonment for drunkenness, and! 40s and costs, in default seven days 1 imprisonment, on a charge of having used obscene language. — G. M. Bowen, on a charge of having been drunk and disorderly, was fined 20s and costs. Soliciting.— K&te Brown pleaded not guilty to a charge of soliciting on Cambridge Terrace. She was found guilty, and sentenced to one month's imprisonment. Alleged Bkbach of a Prohibition OBDBB.^rJoihn RAgby was remanded till the following day oh a charge of having been found on HceneedC premises during the currency of a prohibition order. Alleged Theft of Whisky.—- Jaoses Henderson was charged with having, on April 22, at Christohurch, stolen four bottles of D.C.L. whisky, valued at £1, the property of one Frank Vale. Mr Donnelly appeared for the accused, who admitted the offence^ and: said hisi client was quite prepared to pay for the whisky. . The Bench fined the accused 20s, and he was •ordered to pay for the whisky. Alleged Entering and Thebt.— James Henderson and Thomas Kane, on remand, were charged with having, between March 21 and April 2, broken into and entered: the premises' of Robert Pitcaithly, and solen therefrom wine, spirits, tea and cigars, valued at £14 13s 6d. Mr Mallejr appeared for Kane, aod Mr Donnelly ior Henderson. Chief-Detective Chrystal called' George Ste-. venson, accountant for Messrs Pit<saithly and Co., who said thai/ when he closed the premises on March 31, everything was in order. On April 6he found that the door had been broken open, and a number. of articles" had been stolen. A case of port wine had been stolen, and ,he identified the hot-' ties in Court as similar to those which were missing. . The brand on the wine was the same, but he could . not positively identify the win© in Corirt. Patrick M'Hroy, night porter, said that early on the morning of April 2 he heard a noise in Messrs Pitcaithly and Co.'s premises. The noise resembled footsteps, and he thought he heard voices. He after wards saw Henderson and another man" leave the building. He spoke to the men as they came out, and said, " Well, boye ; have you been having a good time?" Henderson's companion replied "Yes, we have be^n looking through Mr Bruce's books and to get some wine." The men were half drunk, and they had bottles in their pockets. He saw the men about 3.30 a.m. on April 2. Constable Stewart said that at 3.30 a.m. on April 2 be was on duty in Manchester Street.. In consequence of what the nightwatchman said to him he went to Messrs Pitcaithly and* Co.'s. He saw the accused Henderson coming down the steps from Pitcaithly andi Oo.'s premises. There was another man with Henderson. Witness spoke to them, and -said it was a strange time to be in. the building. Henderson's companion replied that he had been, doing the books for his old friend, Mr /Bruce. Henderson had one bottle in 'his pocket, and his companion carried two bottles. He, waa sure Henderson was one of the men. Witness did not report the matter. The name of Henderson's companion was Buss. Arthur E. Partridge also gave evidence. .Constable M'Alister said he waa on duty with Constable Stewart in 'Manchester Street about 3.30 a.m. on April 2. M'llroy made a report, and witness and Stewart went to Messrs Pitoaithly and Co.'s. premises. He saw two men leave the building. Constable Stewart spoke to them, and one of ~ the men said something about "Poor old Bruce." He identified Henderson as one of the men whom be saw leaving Pitcaithly's premises. When witness saw the men they were on the footpath. Henderson carried one bottle and Buss hod two in his possession. Henderson did not speak to Constable Stewart. Silas Knight, cabman, said that on the afternoon of April 1 he went to the Royal George Hotel in response to a telephone message. The acicused Henderson -was therej and; asked witness to drive him to Cockayne's. Hender^ son had two tins of tea. Witness drove Henderson to Cockayne's* and afterwards drove him to other plages. On ref-urmng to the cabstand Henderson took the. tins away. He was certain that Henderson was ,the man who engaged the cab. James Nelson, labourer, engaged as caretaker of the Hibernian Hall, Barbadoes Street, said that about 4 p.m. on April Ihe saw; a man in the back premises of the hall, - and afterwards found four bottles of wine at the same place. Constable Jones saidHhat on April 1 the witness Nelson called his attention to the presenoe of a 1 man on the premises of the Hibernian Hall. Witness went in, and found the accused Kaae in a" closet. He was asleep, and had two, bottles of invalid port wine in his pocket. The accused was not drunk then, although he appeared as if he had been drinking. Constable Loptail gave similar evidence. Detective O'Connell said ! that on. April the articles in Court were handed to him by Nelson, and it was explained that tfieg© were found on the premises of the Hibernian Hall on, April 1. He kneyr a man named Buss. There was_ a wariaait out for bis axrest. Detective Mitchell siiid he arrested Henderson on Aprjl 22. When the charge was read, Henderson made no reply. Constable Roaohe«aid' he arrested Kane on April 29, on a warrant. /K«n« said that lie ht^ not be^ in Christchurch for * mpn&L Kane denied ikat he knew anything of the^ other men. Mr -Mai 1 ley »ddt«B»ed the Bench', and ntged that tiiere was no case against his ottei*! Kane, who should be 'discharged. Tlis Bench thought there irus a case to answer, and the accused wdre coinMtied for trial at the next, . cession of |hV^upreme Court. Bail was allowed eaoli accused m £100, amd- two sure- , ties , of £50i each. (Before Mr W. E. Samuels, J.P. , and Mr v m a skoir, J.p.r y . ; . ' School Atowpakoj! Acr.-r-For faihng to send" their childreo to^^ school, Jane B*rrett, jofra M'Niliy, Xeonaid Hftßper, Willwim mglesoma (tW charg^), Henry .KewiJey = (Wo charges) a«td Join (two 'ciargea) wew. fined 2js on ©act cftftirg©.