MAGISTERIAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2897, 13 February 1893, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

ASH BURTON -MOK DAI.

(Before Major Steward and Mr W. G. Rees Justices of tho Peace.) Dbunkennbss. —Six first offenders were fined 5s each, with the ueual alteri native, and ordered to pay expenses incurred. Alfred Murphy, fourth appearance within six months, was sentenced to fourteen days hard labor. Illegally on Premises. — Thomas Musker and Joseph Smith were charged with being illegally on the premises of the Royal hotel (found Bleeping in the stables) on Saturday night. As they had been locked up since .Saturday they were cautioned and discharged. Larceny—Willie Sa, alias Jemmy Joe, alias Jew, alias Berry, was charged with the larceny of a pair of socks, value Is 64, and a watch chain and pendant value 30s, the property of John Johnstone. Prisoner, who was defended by Mr Crisp, pleaded "Net guilty." Oh the application ot prisoner's counsel the Bench decided to deal with the case summarily. John Juhnstone, contractor, working at Westerfield, deposed thut accused was in his employ as cook. While accused had been in his empl.iy, he, pni cator had missed a pair of socks aitd a silver watch chain with greenstone pendant. Those produced were the .same. The socks were worth Is 6d, and the chain 30s The chain had been kept in a bunk to which accused had access. Missed the articles on January 31, ami asked accused it he had seem them. He taid *'r.0." John McLachlan was present at the time. Saw the missing property at Tinwald on Saturday, llih inst., when the articles were shown to him by Sergeant? Moller. Had not disposed of them to anyone or given anyone authority to do so. Accused had seen him wearing the chain, as he, prosecutor, wore it for a week or so while accused was about. Cross-axamined— Accused understands English vary well. Accused had chatgo of the kitchen. There were eleven or twelve other me.i workirg lor tvi'.nras. Could not deny thai ] accused might have bought socks like thos* produced. Accused complained several times of having lose (lungs himself. Johu MeLnchlan : Was in the employ of last witness. Was present when prosecutor said he had lo3t his •watch chain. Accused, who was also present, said he had never seen it. Had Been Johnstone wearing the chain. Serjeant Moller : Arrested accused at Tinwald en Saturday. He had come down in Juhnstone's cart. Told him he was suspected of stea intr a watch chain of Johnstone's, ar.d that if he had it he had better hand it out. Accused denied that tne chain was in his po-session. Searched him and found the chain in his waistcoat pocket tnd the socks in his swag. Accused said he had bought two pairs of nocks. There were three pairs in his swag—lha one claimed by pr secutor, a pair of aimi'ar color, and a third pair of a different color.

Mr C*(ep called the accused, who being sworn deposed that while at Johnstone's he had mused several articles, including a pocket knife. Johnstone paid a visit to Timaru, and while he was away he (aocused) searched the kitchen and the bunks for the articles ho hid missed, and in so doing fonnd one of a pair of socks which he h*d lost; also Johnstone's watch ch«n.' This last he had put in his pocket intending to give it to Johnstone on his return on Thursday I night but forgot to do bo. Went down to 1 Tinwald on Saturday to get his cheque. There he met Sergeant Moller, who said he was wanted for stealing the chain. Claimed the socks produced as his own. He (accused) had bought them at CraJghead's. Cress-examined; Bought the seeks eight weeks ago. Had worn the pair produced two or three . times. Was sentenced at Rakai* to three months for stealing, and had been sentenced to twelye months, by the Supreme Court, on a charge of false pretences. Sergeant Moller, recalled : Told prisoner he was wanted for the larceny of the chain, and he denied having it in his possession. The Bench gave the prisoner the benefit of thp doubt as to the socks, but found the larceny of the chain clearly proved. Sentenced to six months' hard labor. ;