RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, WELLINGTON.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2430, 20 October 1866, Page 5

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, WELLINGTON.

Thursday, October 18. [Before J. C. Crawford, Esq., R.M.] A LANDLADY'S MrSTAKK. John Poppewell was charged wifch stealing a quantity of blankets, sheets, towels, and other articles of a similar kind from tho Freemason's Tavern. Prisoner pleaded "Nofc Guilty." Margaret Griffin, wife of William Griffin, proprietor of the Freemason's Tavern, deposed thafc [ tho prisoner came to the Tavorn on Tuesday even- ; ing last with his mate, and they had supper ; and I told them I had no accommodation for thorn to stop thafc night. They then went away, and prisoner came back again afterwards, bringing a carpet-bag. Ho was shewn into a bedroom, where there was a bod with two blankets, a rug, and two ahoets. Prisoner came down stairs and said that thero wore no sheets and blankets in tho room, and I told him to take the next room. Afc II o'clock I went up stairs, having heard him walking about the rooms, to check him, and 1 missed a niattrass and two blankets. I noticed a window open in an adjoining room. I ordered him to go down stairs, and ho would nofc go. Prisoner said he was looking for a candle. I accused him of atealing the things, and he said I could not prove it. At about the time for shutting up I went up stairs again and miascd some shirts and towels, and other things from the bedroom. I had then sent for a constable, and when ho came I gave prisoner in charge. I could not find tho missing thinga. Thero were five blankets, one countorpano, a mafctrass, sheets, and other things gone, which I value afc orer £4. My husband is at Sydney, where ho haa gone for tho good of his health. By prisoner — You did nofc go to bod at 10. You did not fetch yeur bundle till 10 o'clock. Charlotte Jillett said that she waa lodging at tho Tavern, and that on Tuesday evening, after 10 o'clock, prisoner was walking a&out np stairs. Witness gave other corroborative evidence, and said that prisoner was Bober. Constable Doran said that about 20 minutes past 1, on Wednesday, Mrs. Griffin called him in to the Tavern, and he went up to the prisoner's room. Told him who he was, and prisoner, who was in bed, let him in. Prisoner, on being accused, said v I know nothing aboufc it," and showed tho paper [produced], stating why he had come here. There was a carpet-bag in the room belonging fco prisoner, bufc there was nothing in it but his own clothes. Witness could not find any of fcho missing articles. Prisoner said thafc ho had been sent for by Mr. Mills, from Christchurch, and same up in the Queen, and was going to work next day. Afterwards he went tolookforlodginga, and went with a friend into the Freemaaon'a and had tea ; but hia friend did not like the place. His Worship, interrupting the prisoner, said that thero waa nothing to connect him with the goods ; none had been found on him, and it was nofc even Bhown that they were in the bedroom aft the timo he went up. Ho -would dismiss the caso. HORSE stealing. William Hobbertfield was charged with stealing a horae, the property of Mr. Sage, of the Wairarapa. Sll3O said that prisoner borrowed the horse, as ho said, to tako a short ride, but did not return. John Williamson, butcher, said that on Monday afternoon prisoner came to Luxford'<s stables and wanted feed for his horae. Prisoner said that he had lost hia purse afc the Hutt and must sell the horso to get back again. Ho wanted £20 for it, and witness-said ho might find a customer for it in tho morning. Witness said ifc was not worth so muoh as ifc was lame, and prisoner said he would tako £16. Witness offered tho horse for that sum, and adviaed prisoner to have its blioos , taken off, or he would not bo able to sell tht* horse. Prisoner then took the horso away, and went; to Geary's, the blackamith. The horse was what is called a nugget horse. Consfcablo Brennan said that ho arrested prisoner on Tuesday morning, on a charge of liorse stealing, at a blacksmith's shop, opposite Wise's, through information ho had received. Prisoner said fchafc he was getting the horae shod, and was going back nexfc day. The horse at present waa in possession of the police. Prisoner waa committed for trial. A DANGEROUS TELLOW. William Barlow was brought up on remand, charged wifch being drunk and carrying aboufc a loaded revolver. Tho prisoner admitted thafc he was intoxicated, and said that; he was a Militiaman, and had only arrived in Wellington on Tuesday last, in fcho Lord Ashley. Hia Worship fined prisoner 10s., and said fchat ho waa liabip to be imprisoned for six months for carrying aboufc loaded tivoarnis in tho City. Friday, October 19. [Before J. C. Crawford Esq., R.M.] DRUNKENNESS. Maria Johnson, charged with habitual drunkenness, was committed for thirty days, with hard labor. obstructing the footpath. R. D. Lowers, draper, charged with obstructing fcho footway, by exposing hia goods on it, was fined ss. BREACH OF IMPOUNDING ACT.. Three persona wero fined ls each and costs, ' for allowing a bull, a cow, and an ass, fco wander at large in tho atreeta respectively.