MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 343, 19 July 1875, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, July 19. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq, R.M.] Drtjnk and Disorderly. Jeremiah Callaghan, charged with this offence, was fined 10s. Larceny.—William McKay, alias George McKay, was charged on remand with the larceny of a cheque for £2O, the property of, and drawn by John Wilson, storekeeper, Christchurch. The evidence in this case has already appeared. The prisoner wished that sundry persons might be called on his side. Inspector Feast stated that he had this morning sent to find the persons required by the prisoner, but that his subordinates had not been able to discover them. The case was ordered to stand over until to-morrow morning at 11 a.m. Forgery.—George Barrett was charged on remand with this offence, by forging an order for certain timber. Inspector Feast stated that on Saturday morning last he went to prisoner's house, Carlton road, and charged him with forging and altering an order for timber, which he had received from a man named Hoffmeister, to take to J. T. Brown. Prisoner said he knew nothing about it, and took the order as he got it. The Inspector saw outside prisoner's back door eighteen pieces 18ft x lin tongued and grooved flooring boards, also ten pieces 16ft long 7 x £in wainscoating, which were claimed by Hoffmeister. Prisoner said he had bought the timber at Jenkins' saw mill, and that the Inspector could get his receipt there for it. Produced an order that he got from Mr Brown on Thursday last. C. A. Hoffmeister called, said that he was a carpenter employed by P. Tisch. He was living in Aikman'sroad. Recollected on 2nd Julygiving the order produced to the prisoner. He wrote out the order, which has since been altered. The original order was for 100 ft matchlining timber and 300 ft flooring boards. It reads now 190 ft matchlining and 390 ft flooring boards. Prisoner was to bring the timber up to witness's place next day. Prisoner on 3rd July brought up twenty-two pieces flooring boards, 18ft long by 6£in x lin, and eleven pieces matchlining 16ft long by 7in x Jin. Witness heard something, and went to Brown's office, where he saw order he had given prisoner, which he found had been altered. Never gave any one any authority to alter the order. Saw what was charged to his account. The order as altered was executed, and the amount charged to Mr Tisch's account. On Saturday last went to prisoner's house and saw a number of boards there of same sort as prisoner had delivered to witness. There was just the amount there that made the difference between the original order and the altered one. The prisoner's house was finished, as it stands at present, before witness gave him the order for the timber. The prisoner's house is between Christchurch and witness' place. Saw the timber mentioned this morning. Prisoner did not deliver the whole of the timber originally ordered. By the prisoner—l counted the pieces as they came off your dray, but did not measure them. Philipp Tisch said he was a farmer, and contractor residing on the North road. He owned some houses in Aikman's road. The last witness is working for witness there. Gave him authority to draw out orders for timber he required. Never gave prisoner any authority to alter orders. Did not know what was charged to his account at present. John Brown said he was the son of John Thopmson Brown, timber merchant, Tuam street. Recollected prisoner coming to the yard on 3rd July, and bringing the order produced. It was in the same state as it is now. Executed the order. The signature in the delivery book produced is prisoner's. The timber was charged to the account of P. Tisch. Saw some timber at Police Depot this morning. Can say that it came from Brown's yard. It is similar timber to that delivered to prisoner. Joseph Smith stated that he was yard manager at Jenkin's saw mill yard. Saw some timber at Police Depot this morning. Did not think it came from Jenkins' mill. The prisoner in May last got some timber from Jenkins' yard. It was the timber mentioned in the receipt produced. That timber does not correspond with the timber mentioned in the order produced. Prisoner —" Did I not get some liningboards from you ?" Wit- , ness—" Yes. Several lots previous to that date." Inspector Feast said that was the

case. Prisoner said he had nothing to say. He was fully committed for trial at the next Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court. Destitute Persons Relief Ordinance.— Peter Dunn was charged with a breach of this Ordinance, by not obeying an order made in the Resident Magistrates' Court. The defendant did not appear. The case was adjourned for a week. LTTTELTON. Friday, July 16. [Before W. Donald, Esq, R.M.] Drunk and Disorderly—John Smith, arrested by Constable Gilchrist, was fined 10s, or in default forty-eight hours' imprisonment. Peter Euland, arrested by Constable Hay ward, was dismissed with a caution. John Armson, arrested by Constable Hayward, was fined 10s. Larceny.—Duncan Bell and John Smith, arrested by Detective McGorman, were accused of this offence. Henry Blackwell, said—l am a passenger by the ship Rangitiki for London. I came to Lyttelton yesterday and obtained my ticket for the passage. I lost my pccket-book yesterday, and it contained the ticket and some money. Mr Agar put my luggage on board, and I afterwards got the worse for drink and met some one, whom I don't know. I had the ticket and about two or three notes. I lost my scarf and pockethandkerchief. I remember having a conversation with the prisoner Bell. The purse produced is my property, also the receipts. The scarf now produced I believe to be mine. I recognise it by a tobacco stain. The pockethandkerchief is also my property. Geo. Pierce, of the British Hotel, sworn, said—l know the prisoner Bell. I saw Bell and the prosecutor in the British. They were drinking together, and when Blackwell was ?oing to pay for some drinka he missed his purse. I accused Bell of steal* ing the purse, and afterwards got it from him. George Agar, sworn, said—l know the prosecutor and the prisoner Bell. I saw them yesterday in company. The witness then gave evidence of what took place between Bell and the prosecutor. Detective McGorman, being sworn, proved the arrest of Bell for the larceny of the purse. The prisoner Smith I arrested on the charge of stealing the comforter. Constable Gilchrist, sworn, said—l found the muffler produced on prisoner Smith when I arrested him yesterday. Sergeant-major O'Grady gave evidence of the doings of the prisoners during the past three weeks. The Bench sentenced both prisoners to one month's imprisonment with hard labor. Saturday, July 16. (Before W. Donald, Esq, R.M.) Drunk enness.—James Anderson, arrested by constable Watt, was fined 10s, or in default 48 hours' imprisonment.