MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 55, 3 August 1874, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, August 3. [Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M., and Launcelot Walker, Esq., J.P.] DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Feter S. McGrath and Robert C. Thompson were each fined 20s for drunkenness, and Henry Grant, for a similar offence, was fined ss. LARCENY. W. J. Sullivan and Walter Cook were charged with stealing—the former three blankets, and the latter two coats, the property of Matthew Spenser, from a store room and stables in Armagh street. Chief Detective Feast stated that, in company with Detective Benjamin, he arrested both persons the previous morning in High street. He told them they were charged with breaking into a store room, attached to a stable in Armagh street, near the Government buildings, and stealing two coats, three blankets and one pair trousers therefrom. The prisoners denied having done so. Told the prisoner Sullivan that he had pledged the blankets at Stewart's pawn shop. They all then went in the direction of Stewart's, and when they had got to the shop, Sullivan said that he had pledged the blankets there, but had bought them from a swagger in the street. The other prisoner stated at the shop that he had pawned a coat or coats in the name of Hood, but that they were his own coats. After this he took them to the lock-up. Detective Benjamin produced two coats which he got from Stewart's pawn shop. I identified them as the coats which Mathew Spenser had reported as stolen from him. Also produced two blankets which Spenser said were his property. Was preseut when the prisouers were arrested, and heard them make the statements stated by Detective Feast. Cook denied ever having slept in the stables, and said he had not been intimate with Sullivan.

Mathew Spenser stated that he was a carrier and occupied some stables in Armagh street, near the Government buildings; there was a store room attached to the stables. On 13th July last left the town with his team between 7 and 8 o'clock. Locked up the store room when he left, and returned the week following. On his return he saw the staple of the door had been drawn out, and missed two coats, a pair of blankets, and a pair of trousers, which had been stolen. The property produced was his. Next saw the property at the police depot. The value of articles was about £5. The prisoners had no right in the store ioom or stables. Samuel Stewart, pawnbroker, deposed to prisoner Sullivan bringing a pair of blankets to his shop on the 13th July. They were pledged in the name of Rogers, and he lent 5s ou them. The blankets produced are the ones. About the same time made out a ticket for two coats. The coats produced are the same. Advanced 10s on them. Thought it was one of the prisoners who pawned the coats, but could not positively swear it was. Joseph Carter had been staying with Mr Stewart. On 13th July the two coats produced were brought to the shop for pledge. Believed it was the prisoner Cook, but would not swear it. The coats were pledged in the name of Johnson. Mr Stewart wrote out the ticket, and gave him [Carter] the money to advance on the coats. Spoke to the prisoner at the depot yesterday, and he at first acknowledged having the coats, and gave a description of them. He afterwards said it was a different kind of coat, and that he had pledged it in the name of Hood Had lookrd through the books for the last six months, and could not find that name. William Smith, labourer : Knew the prisoners for upwards of three months. They

were mates, and had been living together for a short time. Knew the stables in Ar-magh-street, and used to stay there. The prisoners have also stayed there. Didn't think the prisoner Sullivan had any money about three weeks ago. Prisoner Sullivan said that he bought the blankets from a wagger in the street. Prisoner Cook said that he had never been in the stables in his life, and when the goods were stolen he was working at the Uncle Tom's dining rooms. Chief Detective Feast called a witness who stated that he had bought a pawn ticket for blankets from the prisoner Sullivan for ss. He said the blankets belonged to him.

At the request of the prisoner Cook, His Worship sent for Mr Simmonds of the Warwick Hotel who stated that he bought the ticket for a jacket from Cook for 10s. Cook said the jacket belonged to him. The jacket produced is the one he got out of the pawn shop with the ticket he purchased. Carter, recalled by his Worship, said that the blankets and coats were pawned at the same time, the blankets in one portion of the shop, and the coats in the other. His Worship said that in Cook's case there was some doubt of the identity, and the Bench resolved to give him the benefit cf the doubt, and would dismiss the charge. With regard to Sullivan there was not the slightest doubt but that he had stolen the blankets, and he would be sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labor.