RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT, PORT CHALMERS.

Evening Star, Issue 3731, 6 February 1875, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT, PORT CHALMERS.

Saturday, February 6. (Before T. A. Mansford, Esq., E.M.)

Theft. —Charles Mann, second steward of the ship Waikato, pleaded guilty|to stealing one ham of the value of 15s, part of the ship’s stores.—His Worship remarked it was a fortunate thing for the accused that the vessel was, going to sail to-day, or he would have sent him to prison; but he did not think the captain ought to be deprived of his services, and consequently ordered him on board the ship, and the value of the ham, iss, to be deducted from his wages.

Receiving Stolen Property.—Mary Ann Watson was then charged by Constable Carter with unlawfully receiving the ham, knowing it to have been stolen. —From the evidence of Mann it appeared that he owed Mrs Watson a small account for refreshments, when she told him to get a ham from the ship and that would help to settle the account. He took a ham from the ship to Mrs Watson’s shop, and told her he had got it. She replied, “ Take it in the back room.” The police then came and arrested him.—The accused denied all knowledge of the ham.—His Worship stated it was a most fortunate thing for her that the vessel was going to sea, or he would have committed her for trial, as the evidence was conclusive. He regretted exceedingly that there was a failure of justice in the case, and he had to order the accused to be discharged. She would, however, not leave the Court without a stain on her character. *