RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1098, 13 November 1883, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASHBURTON. -To-day. (Before H. C. S. Eaddeley Esq, R.M.)

Breach of Borough By-law j. For allowing a horse to wander at large a first offender was fined ss. Larceny as a Bailee. —Charles Gi ligan was brought up, on remand, charged with having converted the sum of L2, the property of John Orr, to the use of persons other than the owner.—Mr Caygill appeared for the defence.—Annie Macdonald deposed that she was general servant at’Mr ~Peter’s at Anama station. Witness paid a deposit of L2 10s for a sewing machine to prisoner, and signed the document produced. Gilligan promised to come back in a fortnight to show how the machine was worked, but did not do so. Witness offered to pay the whole amount, but it was refused. Had since paid the balance.—John Orr, merchant, said that accused had sold several machines for his (witness’s) firm, among which was one to Mrs Macdonald. He accounted for that sale, but did not render any payment. Witness knew nothing of the transaction until about a month ago, when Mr Peter communicated with the firm. —Cross-examined : The arrangemsnt with Gilligan was that he received 10s for the sale of hand machines, and LI for treadle machine?. Accused was not authorised to take his commission out of money he received. The teas m why accused left witness’s employ was that he carried on the business too recklessly. Had settled up with the head agent/, Mr Motley, at Christchurch, but the sum paid by Mrs Macdonald was not included. —Constable Smart gave evidence that he arrested the accused at the Christchurch railway station, and in the train he admitted having received the money.—This closed the case for the police, and Mr Caycnll said he would ask for a remand, in order that Mr Morley, an important witness, might be brought from Christchurch. Counsel, however, said that accused was out of funds, and the police ought therefore to supoeaa the witness, otherwise the case would have to stand where it was, and he would ask the Bench to deal leniently with the prisoner.—His Worship said that this was by no means an isolated case, as there were several convictions against the prisoner. He would now be sentenced to two calendar months’ imprisonment. The Court then adjourned.