ONEHUNGA.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 500, 17 August 1871, Page 3

ONEHUNGA.

In the Kesident Magistrate's Court, on Wednesday, before C. Mellsop, Esq., R.M., the following cases were disposed of: — Lakcbni.—J. W. Geary was charged by W. Cassin with stealing a tame magpie, value £5. The bird was produced in Court, and caused considerable merriment by whistling "Merrily Dance tho Quaker's Wife" very cleverly, and sundry other vocal performances. —John Crew deposed to eeoing prisoner in Queen-street on Sunday last. Saw prisoner pick up tho bird and walk away with it. He told the owner, who went to the constable, and the man was followed.—W. Cassin deposed that on following prisoner, and when within twenty yards, tho bird escaped, and prisoner tried to retake him. After he had given him in charge to the police, prisoner offered him money to let him go. The bird is well known, and a groat favourite. Prisoner had goneabout a quarter of amile before he was overtaken.—Prisoner said he picked up the bird,>'hjnking it was a wild bird that had got main^,—Mr. Boe gave prisoner a good charaUir, &nd the prosecution did not wish to priffl* severely.—The Court imposed a fine of 205./ or fourteen days' imprisonment, under the provisions of the Larceny Act. Bebach of MEEcnANT Seaman's Act. — Eobert Brown was charged by the chief officer of the b.s. Taranaki with refusing to obey the lawful commands of his officers. — George Edmonds deposed he was chief officer of the Taranaki, now lying at the wharf. Prisoner is on articled seaman on board the steamer. On Saturday he had permission to go to Auckland, on condition of returning on Sunday morning to assist in putting the vessel on the beach. He did not return till the following Monday. On speaking to him he l#id Plx

days was enough for him to work, and ho did not intend to return to his work on Sunday." The captain ordered him to go to work on the Monday morning, and he positively refused. Prisoner said when he returned on the Monday the chief officer would not allow him to go to work till ho had seen the captain, an*d when ordered to return to his work he did not because he thought he would bo discharged down South. The chief officer was willing to take prisoner. back if he would return to his duty, which ho preferred to going to Mount Eden for soven days.— Eichard Tliiers was charged with stealing a whip, the property of W. Twidle, of Pukekohe. Prisoner pleaded guilty to committing the offence when under tbeiufluence of liquor. Sentenced to seven days' hard labour.