CITY POLICE COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 3881, 2 August 1875, Page 2

CITY POLICE COURT.

Monday, August 2. (Before H. S, Fish and J. Blaek, Esq.’s, J.P.’s.) Drunkenness. —Charles Comber was discharged with a caution ; Jas. M’Cullum, Peter Roberts, Henry M'Callum, Robert E. Hallom, Wm. Brownlee, Wm. Mackay, and Wm, Nelson, principally immigrants by the Aldergrove, were each fined ss, with the option of twenty-four hours’ imprisonment; Robert Gordon, 10s, or fortv-eight hours’. Breach of the Peace. —Robert Greig was charged with committing a breach of the peace in Maclaggan street on Sunday.—From the evidence of Constable Gilbert and another witness it appeared that a man named George Baker was the real offender, he having assaulted Greig. The Bench consequently ordered Baker, who was in Court, to he placed in the dock in place of Greig, who was discharged. The charge against Baker was then*proceeded with and defendant fined 10s, or in default forty-eight hours’ imprisonment. A further charge against Greig of assaulting Cecilia Fulham also fell through.—Robert Henry, an immigrant by the Aldergrove, was fined 20s, with the option of forty-eight hours' imprisonment, for creating a disturbance in Princes street. A ROUGH CUSTOMER. Alfred Hutchison, alias German Charlie, a strongly-built man, was chargedjwith haring, on or about the 15-h May, feloniously and burglariously entered the dwelling-house of Geo. H. Barnes, London street, and stolen therefrom a diamond ring and gold watch, to the value of L4O. Prisoner, who was not defended, pleaded not guilty. Prosecutor stated that he was a bailiff of the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Dunedin, and on Saturday, the 27th March, he apprehended accused, in his official capacity by warrant for debt, and, having to hold him to bail for four days, kept him in his own private house in London street. After the expiry of the four days, he was discharged by the magistrate. On the night of the 15th May witness retired to bed about half-past ten, having first secured the door; but before doing so bo placed on the mantelpiece a gold watch, chain, and diamond ring. Next morning, on entering the parlor, he noticed that the articles mentioned had been taken away, and the parlor-w ndow tampered with. He valued the jewellery, the loss of which he reported to the police, at L4O. The ring now produced he identified as his property. By Accused: Witness did not miss any thing while ho (accused) was in the house. O. Guardiola, proprietor of the Spanish Restaurant, stated that accused had been a lodger

in his house, and about six weeks ago, iu consideration of a loan of L 3 left the ring produce! (and identified by last witness as his property) with witness. Suspecting the ring had been stolen, witness took it to Mr Hislop, jeweller, and there had his suspicions verified.

John Hislop slated that, on Gaardiola bringing Kim the ring last week, he (witness) immediately identified it as a ring which he had mounted for prosecutor. Guardiola said prisoner H id given fit to him. Constable Hinds stated that he had been instructed to make inquiries regarding the theft of the ring, and on calling at the Spanish Restaurant saw prisoner, who, on being questioned, said he had received the ring from a friend. Witness asked him to come to the police station and he refused. Being dressed in private clothes, witness informed accused he was a member of the police force, and would have to arrest him. Accused struggled and got away. Detective Bain apprehended accused shortly after midnight of Friday, by virtue of a 1 warrant, at Wain’s lloyal Hotel, and immediately handcuffed him. After conveying him part of the way to the police station, he made his escape. On the following morning (Sunday) witness re-arrested him in p house in Forth street.

Inspector-Mallard : He fought pretty hard, did’nt he? Witness: Rather!

Prisoner, on being cautioned, said : All I have to say is (that I did not steal the ring- I bought it. He was committed for trial.