RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3097, 1 June 1881, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1.

(Before H. Eyre Kenny, Esq., R.M.) DRUNKENNESS. Thomas Green was charged with this offence, and fined 5s and costs, or 48 hours imprisonment with hard labor. LARCENY. James Griffen, brought up on remand, charged with stealing some clothing at Hastings, was discharged, no evidence being offered againßt him. PROVOKING LANGUAGE AND GESTURE. Ohristena Johnston (a Dane), residing at the Western Spit, was charged on the information of J. H. Sims with this offence.

The complainant and a number of witnesses gave evidence as to the uniform strength of the prisoner's language, and the want of repose which marks her general conduct, and His Worship said that it was clear that prisoner was a public nuisance to those living in her neighborhood, and she would he required to find sureties, her husband in £25, and two others in £12 10s each, for good behaviour for three months, or she would have to go to gaol for that period. LARCENY. Rawhera (a native) was brought up on remand charged with stealing a watch case from the premises of Mr H. 11. Wall.

Previous to the hearing of this case Captain Preece had taken his seat on the bench, and interpreted the evidence to the prisoner. H. H. Wall, sworn, said he knew the prisoner. He knew the watch case produced ; it was in his possession on the 27th of May. He saw it at midday on that date. It had come into his hands lor repairs. On returning from Innch on the day mentioned he missed the case, and informed tbe police. He went with Constable Wilson to look for prisoner, and found him at the bar of tbe Criterion Hotel. The constable took prisoner into J custody, and soon afterwards produced the watch case. He had never given away or sold the watch case. Niel O'Niel, sworn, said he was assistant to Mr Wall. He knew prisoner, and remembered the 27th of May. He saw prisoner in the shop on that day at about halt past 12. He knew the watch case; he had taken the works out, and laid the case on his bench. It was on the bench at the time prisoner was in the shop. Two ladies came into the shop, and he attended to them. He went into the strong room, and when he came out prisoner had gone. He missed the watch case at two o'clock and spoke to Mr Wall about it. Mr Wall went out to look after the prisoner. He did not see the watch case again until he came into Court. Prisoner appeared to be quite sober. Constable Wilson, on his oath, said be knew the prisoner, aud remembered the 27th May. He was informed that Mr Wall suspected the prisoner of stealing a watch case. He met the prisoner coming out at the side door of the Criterion Hotel, and said he wished to see what he (prisoner) bad in his pockets. He searched the prisoner, and found the watch casein prisoner's breastpocket. He took hira to Mr Wall, who identified tbe watch case. Prisoner said a boy had given hira the case. He took him to the

police office, and charged him with stealing the case. Prisoner had no signs of drink on him. Prisoner made a statement to the effect that he was in drink. Mr Wall, recalled, said be had seen prisoner take a small article of jewellry in his shop two years ago, and had ordered him out of the shop. The bench sentenced the prisoner to four months imprisonment with hard labor.