MAYOR’S COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 3129, 28 February 1873, Page 2

MAYOR’S COURT.

This Day. (Before E. ff Ward and J. Bradshaw, Esqs., J.P.’s)

Drunkenness. —Wm. M'Gee was fined ss, with the uaual alternative. Obtaining Goods under False Pretences —Margaret Lewis, a girl of twelve or thirteen years of ago, was with being a criminal child within the meaning of tins " Neglected and Criminal Children’s Act 1867,” in that she had received two pairs of boots by false pretences.—W. Prictor said the girl came to his house, and said she had been sent by Mrs Alves to get boots, but on making inquiry, he found out that such was not the case. On calling on the mother and informing her of the circumstance, she said she did not care what was done with the girl.— Sergeant Colder deposed to having found the property in the girl’s possession, and on asking the mother to appear in Court to-day, she refused to do so.—Charles Smith said the accused had been in his employ for three or four years, and had always been looked upon as thoroughly honest. t*he went down to her mother with her three weeks’ wages, and said she wanted boots ; but the mother took the money, and refused to give her them. he would be willing to take back the girl rather than see her go to ruin. She was remanded till to-morrow, to allow of the mother being subpoenaed. alleged Larceny. —Annie Duncan was charged by Henry Garrett Musson with stealing one tablecloth, one black silk jacket, three pieces of muslin, and other articles of wearing apparel, valued at L 4. Mr E. Co-;k appeared lor the accused. Mrs Musson said accused had been in the habit of washing for hor, and that she had missed various articles of wearing apparel, window curtains, and toilet covers. On one occasion she was forced to leave home, and at that time lost a number of sheet 8 and other things. On looking over her boxes she found that nineteen pairs of sheets were missing which she valued at 118, but could not state the value of the other things. She was present when the things were found in Mrs Duncan’s house. She could identify the articles produced as belonging to her. By Mr Cook : She had not given defendant permission to take any of the th ngs alleged to be stolen bhe told her she might take any of the books, except the picture book, as it belonged to her family, and was brought out from home. Constable Anderson said, on instituting a search of the accused’s premises, he found the things identified by the last witness There was no concealment of them. Mr Cook said that defendant had received several of the things in remuneration for services given. As defendant was in very in different circumstances, Mrs Musson had told her she might use some of her property, which she ha I done. He therefore contended that the property was not taken ; and that there had been no felonious intent, as the articles had not been concealed, but rather exposed to view. T, P. Sibbald, Jas. Kennedy; and Wra. Keid, in whose employ defendant had been as washerwoman, ail gave evidence as to the honesty which they had always found in her. The Bench having a doubt as to whether theft had taken place, gave her the benefit, and discharged her.