RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3702, 28 May 1883, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

This Day. (Before Captain Prcece, R.M.) THE OLD OLD STORY. James Francis and Paoro Torotoro, a natiA _ c, charged Avith drunkenness, Avere each lined 5s and costs, with tho alternative of 48 hours' imprisonment Avith hard labor in default. PADDY LYNCH AGAIN. Patrick Lynch Avas charged on the information of ConstablcJLaurenson AA'ith having, ou tho 2Gth instant, at Napier, stolon and carried away a leather strap valued at 3s 6d, the property of Peter Nelson. On being asked to plead, Paddy said ho was not guilty. lie had lost a white shirt that he gave 7s Gd for, and it Avas of mor« A'alue than the strap. AVhen the man that oAvncd the strap asked him for it he gaA'e it up. He would not think of stealing the strap, which Avas only a paltry thing, as anyone could see. [Paddy's eloquence AA'as at this stage cut short, and the case proceeded with.] Peter Nelson, a Dane, being sworn, said he was a working man. He came to town on Saturday, and went to an hotel, whore he placed his swag under a scat in the bar. Ho could not say AA'hat tlic name of the hotel Avas. [Prisoner: The Caledonian, your Worship.] He went out for a littlo Avhilc, and Avhen he came back he found the strap (produced) had been taken off his BAva-g during his absence. The barman told him that Paddy Lynch had taken it. [Prisoner : Yes, yes, I did, and. I told him so. It Avas only a paltry thins;-. I could get one like it for eighteeii-penco anyAvhere in toAvn.] A AVitness paid !is Gd for the strap in a store at AVaipukurau. By the prisoner: You were at tho hotel before I came in. The prisoner here oommoneed to orate about having lost a shirt, and Avent on to say that he exchanged tho shirt for the leather belt, when he Avas reminded by the Cout that iv the meantime ho must confine himself to asking questions. Cross-examination continued: You did not giA*c me the belt. Prisoner; Your Worship, I only came out of gaol on Saturday morning. Constable Laurensen deposed that on Saturday night he Avas informed by Peter Nelson that ho had lost a leather strap off his swag. AVitness arrested Lynch on suspicion, and on searching him in tho police cell found the strap in his possession. The strap produced in Court Avas the same. The prisoner said he hud plenty of work to go to, and— His AVorship: You aro not charged AA'ith vagrancy. You are charged with larceny. Can you slioav any reason Avhy you should not bo convicted ? Prisoner: Yes, your AVorship. I hope you Avill remand me for a day until I can get the man who gave me the strap. I knoAV him Avell enough, and can bring him here. His Worship said tho prisonorhad plenty of time to call Avitnesscs. He noticed thero wero a great number of previous convictions for vagrancy against him, and ho Avas iioav sentenced to se\'en days' imprisonment Avith hard labor. Prisoner: Thank you, sir; lam much' obliged to you. I must see about my shirt)*.' >^ THE NATIVE ROAV AT TARADALE. Tamati, a native, was charged on the information of Constable Villers AA'ith. having been guilty of disorderly conduct whilst drunk at Taradale. The accused pleaded guilty. Constable Villers said that on tho 27th April last he saAV ths defendant the Avorse for liquor outside of Mr Ryan's hotel, and scuflliug with other natives. Subsequently the accused tried to get the other natives away in a cart, and finally succeeded in that object. The native bore a good character. His AVorship said, in consideration of tho accused's previous good character, and his action in getting the other disorderly natives aAvay, a light lino only would bo inflicted. Sergeant Burtensha-AV asked for tho expenses of a Avitness named Chase who had been brought in from Taradale to giA'e evidence. A fine of £1 and costs 9s, with expenses of the Avitness Chase Gs, was inflicted, or in default four days' imprisonment Avith hard labor. DRUNK WHILE IN CHARGE OE A HORSE. Mackwood Smith pleaded guilty to hiyviug been drunk AA'hile in charge of a horse and cart at Hastings on the 23rd instant, Avas fined £1, Avith costs and witness's expenses 16s, or in default four days'imprisonment Avith hard labor. LUNACY. Anne CroAvley, on remand, charged as above, was ordered to bu released and i handed over to the custody of her husband. A 'i'liis concluded tho business, and the Court rose.