RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 52, 24 January 1880, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASHBURTON— Friday, Jan. 22. (Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) DRUNKENNESS. Edward O’Connell, charged with being drunk and disorderly, pled guilty with a refreshing readiness. He had “ come up from Timaru, seeking harvest work, but failed to find it”. His Worship remarked that he could evidently find money to get drunk, and fined him 10s. with costs, or 24 hours in prison. On being asked if he could pay the fine, prisoner said he couldn’t, and “ supposed he would have to take it out,” which he taken away to do. Francis Crossin, a very mild individual, who regretted that he had given the police the trouble of apprehending him, was fined 10s., or 24 hours. LARCENY FROM A DWELLING. James Anderson was brought up, on'remand, charged with stealing a shirt, the property of Henry Orman, a laborer, then living at the Ashburton Hotel. The swagsman had arrived in Ashburton on Monday last, and put up in the Ashburton Hotel. He brought a swag with him, which he laid down amongst other swags. On Tuesday he left the hotel, taking his swag with him. He opened his swag at Reid’s blacksmiths shop, where he missed three shirts and some other articles. He gave information to the police, and Constable Farmer set off in search of the thief, and ultimately apprehended Anderson at Temuka, with one of the stolen shirts in his possession. Accused stated in Court that he had bought two shirts a fortnight ago at Hodder’s and the one before the Court was one of them. He stuck to this statement in the face of the oath of Orman that he identified the shirt by some repairs he had made with liis own hand upon the collars, and other parts. ■ The case was adjourned in order to admit of the production of Mr. Hodder’s salesman, who having been brought, said he recollected the accused buying articles, but could not remember what they were. Had no shirts of the description produced in stock. His Worship said the evidence was sufficiently clear against accused, and he would be sent to gaol with hard labor for a month. LARCENY OF A BRIDLE. James White, stock rider, Longbeach, was charged on summons with the theft of a bridle, surcingle, and breast-plate, the property of Mr. John Grigg. After evidence at great length had been taken, his Worship found White guilty and sentenced him to seven days’ imprisonment.