RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5207, 6 November 1883, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Tuesday, November 6th, 1883. (Before R. Ward, Esq., R M.) HOUSEBREAKING. George Cavill, an elderly man, was charged with breaking into and entering the dwelliughouse of George Patterson, of Aramoho, and felonously stealing therefrom four coats, four pairs trousers, five vests, and one bottle of brandy, of 'the value of £10. George Patterson said he last visited his house at Aramoho on the 7th Cctober, when things were all right ; the windows being sailed down and the doors locked ; the back door being half glass and having the key inside. There was a box containing clothing. In consequence of a message witness received, he went to the police station, and Constable Looney accompanied him to the house. Witness opened the front door, and having lighted a candle, entered the bedroom where the constable discovered accused under the bed. On accused being told to come out, he and a bottle of brandy rolled out. Witness found a pane of glass in the back-door broken and the key gone. There were also traces of blood on the door and along the passsage, the blind on the door being spotted as well. A person outside could unlcck the door by inserting bis hand through the broken glass. Witness missed nothing but the clothes. The articles were worth about £10. Witness next saw the articles (produced) at the police station, and identified them as his property. Leonard Cooper sta'ed that on Saturday evening, at about a quarter to six, he saw accused enter Mr Patterson's gate and go round to the back of the house. As he did not come out witness went to the house, and heard a noise inside; He went to the back door,and tawaportion of the blind with blood on it hanging through a broken pane of glass. Witness went to Mr Banks, and asked him to watch the house, which he and his wife did, witness sending his boy for the police. Witness locked the back door and took the key out, and waited till the police came.* Constable Looney gave corroborative evidence, stating further that prisoner was under the influence of liquor, and said he was recovering from the D.T.s, and that he was brought to the house by a man named William Dougls on Friday, the 2nd ult. Accused said Douglas told him the bouse was bis, and also stated that Douglas forced his hand through the glass and unlocked the door ; but in doing so fell with his forehead against the glass, and cut. himself. Both entered the house and turned out the contents of the box ; Douglas taking the clothing and bringing it over to the river bank, the prisoner accompanying him. He also stated that they slept there on Friday night, and that previous to Douglas leaving at daylight, he rolled the clothes up in a blanket and hid them. On searching the prisoner, witness found a cut on his thumb and another on his forehead, which appeared to have recently been done. There was blood on his face, and his handkerchief was stained with fresh blood. On Sunday morning a Maori woman handed witness the clothing produced, saying she found them on the river bank, three chains distant from Mr Patterson's. The native woman referred to gave evidence as to the discovery of the missing articles on the river bank and removing them to Mr Patterson's verand.au, Col. McDonnell interpreting. Sergeant Bissett stated- that about nine o'clock on Monday morning he was in the cell with prisoner, and asked him who the man Douglas was .who was along with him. He said v What Douglas ? I don't know any Douglas." Witness replied, " You told the constable there was a man Douglas with you." Accused replied "I was stupid from drink, and did not know what I was Baying." Witness said, "I suppose there was nobody with you." Accused rpplied "No." F In reply to his Worship, accused said he reserved his defence. Accused was then committed for trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court, bail to be allowed in accused's own recognisance of £100 and two sureties of £50 each. CIVIL. H. Jarvie v. A. Burn, cVim £2, on exchauge of a co.it and loan of 10s. Defendant did not appear, and, judgment was given for pluntiff. Joseph Wallace v J. Rendall claim £2 2<j as a week's wages. Plaintiff stated that defendant ordered him to leave without notice, while defenduut on the other hand alleged that on the occasion referred to some words took place between them and plaintiff jumped off his cart and threw down the reins and defendant ordered another man to taky his place — judgment for defendant.

The conscience money received by the Fnglish Chancellor of the Exchequer during the last financial year represents an unacknovvleJged income of £317,472. A meeting of the Committee of the Wanganui Rifles will be held this evening to draw-up a programme of sports for Boxing Day, when their g eat annual f6te will be h'ld.