RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3884, 31 December 1883, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

This Day. (Before Captain Preeco, R.M.) DRUNKENNESS. John Thompson was fined 6s for the above offence. John Smith, for being drunk while in charge of a horse, was fined £ 1 and costs, or three days imprisonment with hard labor. OBSTRUCTING THE TOLICE. Patrick Hawloy was charged with obstructing the police, and endeavoring to rescue tho last prisoner, while in an intoxicated condition. Sergeant Burtensbaw said the accused had recently been charged with lunacy, through drunkenness, and had put tho police to considerable trouble. Fined £2. LUNACY. Martha J. Cobb and Gerald O'Farrcll, on remand for lunacy, were committed to the Napier Asylum. Fred Johansen, also on remand, was discharged, though, judging by his appearance, he was certainly not in a fit state to bo set at large. His Worship advised Johansen to stay in tho hospital till his fingers got well, Sergeant Burtensbaw undertaking to got him again admitted to the institution. CIVIL CASE. Martin Ryan got a verdict for £14 15s Od, with 19s costs, against William Jonas, for money lent. LARCENY. Birbick was charged with the larceny of a gold watch, gold brooch, a pair of gold ear-rings, and a silver chain, the property of a married woman named Sarah Pierson. Mr Lee appeared for Mrs Pierson. All witnesses were ordered out of Court. Constable Marsh deposed to arresting accused, and the recovery of the prorjerty. Accused claimed the watch as His own property. Mrs Snelling said she knew informant, who was in the habit of staying at the Occidental Hotel when .she visited Napier. On tho Saturday before Christmas both accused and informant stayed at the hotel. Had seen the jewellery and watch produced worn by Mrs Pierson frequently, and on tho 22nd December was wakened at about 3 in tho morning by Mrs Pierson, who was greatly agitated, and said a man was in her room. Witness thought that unlikely, and said sho must bo dreaming, but woke her husband, who went into the room with Mrs Pierson, and found one there. At 9 o'clock in the morning Mrs Pierson said sho had lost her watch and jewellery, and witness suggested sending for the detective police at once, and afterwards called Constable Marsh. There was no key to the bedroom door occupied by Mrs Pierson, it having been mislaid.

To accused: You asserted that Mrs Pierson had given you the jewellery the night before. Sarah Pierson, wifo of John Pierson, storekeeper at Ormondville, deposed sho stayed at the Occidental Hotel the Saturday before Christmas. When she had been jn bed some time sho felt something at hothead. Was re-awakened twice in the same manner, and though she did not strike a light she saw a man was thero. She then corroborated min_\ ot tho evidence given by

Mrs Snelling. Tho watch she bought from tho accused for £5. Was married in March, 1882, and about eighteen months ago the accused first started to annoy her. Had given him money on several occasions, as he had threatened to kill her husband After she had done some shopping on .the Saturday night, tho accused, who had been apparently watching her movements, followed her into Mr Jacobs' shop. Witness threatened to havo accused locked up for following her. Had had to summons accused at Ormondville for annoyance. To accused: Never got any money from you at any time. Came to Napier from Kaikora, but never lived with you. Never was engaged in my life to be married to you. Never ran away from my husband, and have only been from homo when marketing. Had about £20 in a bag with mo before I went to bed. (Left sitting.)