MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 448, 20 November 1875, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday, November 20. (Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.) Drunk and Disorderly.—Thos Belsey, charged with drunkenness, was fined ss. Larceny as a Bailee. —Francis Fletcher was brought up on this charge". Detective Kirby deposed to arresting the accused at Lyttelton the previous day on the charge of misappropriating a watch belonging to Alex W. Brodie. When arrested accused said he got the loan of the watch in March, 1874 ; that he got hard up and sold it in March, 1875, to a young man named Wm Campion. Received the watch produced from Wm Campion. Alexander Wm Brodie, residing at Doyleston, stated that in March, 1874, he lent accused a watch under conditions that he was to return it the same evening. Lent him the watch in the morning. Next saw the prisoner in July, 1874. Spoke to him about it then, and he said it was under repair at the watchmakers. Had not seen him since until this morning. The watch produced is the one he lent the accused. He (accused) had no authority to sell or dispose of it. Valued it from £4 to £4 10s. By accused—' When 1 saw you in July, 1874, you returned me the chain and trinkets. I think I did see you again, but you did not return the watch.' By the Bench—' I couldn't say for certain whether I asked the accused for the watch when I met him.' William Henry Campion called —Stated that he is a blacksmith employed in Christchurch. In March, 1875, he saw the accused, and purchased the watch produced from him for £4. He did not say who it belonged to, but said it cost £5 at home. Afterwards he handed the watch over to the police. After the evidence had been read over to the accused, he said he had only just recovered from a severe illness ; he admitted having borrowed the watch, and would throw himself upon the mercy of the Court. The accused was then committed for trial at the next criminal session of the Supreme Court.