RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT,

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXIII, Issue 9456, 28 July 1881, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

« Wednesday, July 27th, 1881. (Before E. Hardcastle, Esq., R.M.) Street Obstruction. — Police v. Richard Thomas, for obstructing the roadway in Ridgway-street on the Ist instant, by leaving a lot of house blocks thereon. Fined os, costs 9s. — Same v. William Kerr, for allowing two horses to wander in the Market Square on the 14th instant. Fined 5s for each horse, costs 7s. Larceny. — John Smith, who had just been released from Gaol, was charged with having stolen a silver watch and chain from the person of Robert C. Noel, whose evidence was to the effect that on the 11th March last he had fallen into the Wanganui River, and had afterwards gone to the Railway Hotel to try and get a change of clothes. Had a silver Geneva watch, No. 49426, with a silver guard and piece of greenstone on him at the time he went into the hotel. He was not quite sober at the time, and had sprained his ankle, which prevented his being able to walk home. He sent a Maori known as " Cocky " for a cab, and went to sleep on the path opposite the Railway Hotel; when he awoke half-an-hour afterwards he missed his watch, and did not see it again until about three weeks ago, when it was exhibited in Mr Jensen's window as one" of the prizes in an art union. He then communicated with the police.— The prisoner declined to cross-examine the witness. — Mr Jensen deposed that he bought the watch and chain from the prisoner for 1 2s 6d, who gave a receipt for it. Prisoner was not drunk at the time, but liad been drinking. At the end of four ar six weeks witness exhibited it in his tvindow for sale, and subsequently as a prize in his art union. He had handed ;he watch and chain and receipt to De;ective Sullivan, and had not seen the prisoner again until then.— The prisoner ;ross-exainined the witness at some ength, but did not elicit anything in lis favour.— Detective Sullivan was "also jxamined, but his evidence disclosed no urther facts, except that Mr Jensen lad had the watch in his till "for some iuie. — Prisoner was remanded for eight laya. - ,