MAYOR’S COURT.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2482, 30 January 1871, Page 2

MAYOR’S COURT.

This Day.

(Before His Worship the Mayor, and W. Mason, Esq., J.P.) DRUNKENNESS. F. Elliott, alias John Morrison, Peter Matheson, and Michael Ryan were each fined 10s; J. C, Brooks 20s ; Edw. Coon an 40s, or seven days’ imprisonment, and Andrew Crystal 40s, or fourteen days’ imprisonment. David Whitney was discharged with, a caution ; and Alex. Weber mulcted in the sum of 4s, the value of a pane of glass, the property of Mr Sutherland, grocer, George street, which was broken by him while in a state of intoxication. - AN IMPOSTER. Alex. Carr, was charged under the Vagrancy Act with imposing on persons. It appeared from the evidence that the prisoner ca led at'the private residence of Mr A. R. Livingston a few days ago, and represented him elf to be a distant relative of the late Rev. Dr Burns, that he bad come down from Oamaru to attend the funeral, but was unable to do so, owing to a want of funds. Upon the strength of these assertions he obtained 4s from Mr Livingston, and a crown piece from the Rev. Mr Baunerman. The police came upon the prisoner a few days ago, he being “wanted” for stealing L 3 from a man on board of one of the steamers. It was also proved that he had done six months for imposing upon persons at Bdclutha. The (. ornmissioner of Police stated that frequent complaints had been received of the prisoner’s conduct. He was remanded until to-morrow MINOR OFFENCES. James Muir, for allowing cows to wander, was fined 10s and costs. John Quin, Julius M’Quaid, and James Hill, cabmen, were charged with plying for hire off the stand The Inspector complained that the cabmen were in the habit of making a rush to meet the coaches in the evening, to the annoyance and danger of foot passengers, besides blocking up Manse street. It being a first offence, the cases were dismissed on payment of costs. Patterson v. Buddings was dismissed for non-appearance. ROBBERY AND ASSAULT. George Murdoch (on remand), was again brought up, charged with robbing and assaulting E. J. Sanders. Mr Harris defended. [The prosecutor was examined at some length, but was unable to speak as to the robbery with any degree of certainty, having suffered all day from the effects of drinking, and latterly, from the effects of the blows he received. ] John Colehan, landlord of the Junction Hotel, said he recollected the prisoner and prosecutor coming to his house on the 22nd inst. Both arrived by coach. They remained drinking at his house, for half-an-hour, when prisoner requested Sanders to go with him along the short road to town, in order to overtake the coach. Witness asked, prisoner if he was well acquainted with Sanders; he said “Oh yes, I have known him for a long time.” Sanders wanted to get more drink, but witness would not. give it to him. Prisoner then asked Sanders to get a bottle of brandy, saying he would pay half the cost. Sanders objected, and paid fir a bottle himself, with a LID note, receiving nine LI notes, and some silver as change. Witness noticed that Sanders had three other notes in his purse, one being a LlO note. Sanders asked Murdoch if he wanted the notes, and prisoner replied that he did not. Prisoner loft his swag at the tyotel, asking that it might be sent to him by a carrier, About twenty five minutes afterwards Murdoch returned seemingly in a great burry, and asked fur his swag. Witness asked what he had done with his mate, he replied “The fellow wanted to hammer me, but I gave him a black eye, and left him in the middle of the road. ” Witness followed prisoner, and saw him leading Sanders along. He asked to see what money Sanders had : prisoner asked if he thought he was a robber. Witness searched Sanders in the presence of a man named Muirhead, and found a LlO note and three sixpences on him. He was quite stupid and covered with blood. Prisoner wanted him to return with him but he would not.

Christina Lamont, wife of John Lament, residing oh the Port Chaln>ers foatj, about hal£-a-mile this side of the Junction llotel, said that on the 22nd, between seven and eight-o’clock, she saw two men, whom she now recognised as the prosecutor and prisoner, coming down the track. They were walking aim-in-arm, hot Sanders appeared to he taken along against his will. When they had gone 40 yards they fell, and she saw Murdoch with his hands about Sanders’ pockets. Whilst in that position, Murdoch looked round, as if to see if anyone were about. Sanders seemed stupid, and did not move for four or live minutes. Murdoch then left, and returned shortly afterwards with Colehau.

file case was adjourned to Thursday,