MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 652, 21 July 1876, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Friday, July 21.

(Before G. L. Mellish,_Esq,_E.M., and W. H

Pilliett, Esq, J.P.)

Yagkancy. —James Hunt was charged on remand with this offence. He had been arrested by Detective Bettiagton, Mrs Sara Ann Wilson, storekeeper, at Heathcote, stated that the accused who was working at Tische’s malthouse at Heathcote, called at her store on the 28th of last month to order some provisions for his employer, and before going away he committed a very gross act of indecency in her presence. She complained of this conduct to her husband on his return home. She had not seen the prisoner after that until she saw him in Court, Mr Wilson gave evidence of his wife’s statement to him when he got home that night; His Worship told accused that it was fortunate for him there had been no previous conviction against him, It was a most cowardly action for him to commit such an offence in the presence of a female when no one was present whose protection she could claim. He would be sentenced to six weeks’ imprisonment with hard labor.

Larceny op a Coat.— The adjourned case of Edwin Turner, charged with the larceny of a coat, was called on. Mr Thomas appeared for accused. Two telegrams were handed in by Inspector Feast from the Commisioner of Police at Auckland, saying that similar coats had been for sale at S. Coombe’s shop, in Queen street there, but no such coat had been purchased by Dr Turner. Mr Thomas told the Bench that he had also telegraphed to Mr Ooombe, who had stated thalThe had had such coats for sale in his shop, Inspector Feast said that it was his belief that the accused was a fraud from beginning to end. His name was Osbaliston; he had been valet to the Duke of Edinburgh, and had received a sentence of seven years at Adelaide for the larceny of jewellery. He produced a Gazette containing all particulars of this offence. The accused strenuously denied being the person named therein. Mr Thomas said that even if his client were the greatest scoundrel on earth (and he did not believe him to be so), the statements of _Mr Feast—which by the way were not given on oath —had nothing whatever to do with the case before the Court. He would like to call the accused. Inspector Feast objected to this being done, and after his Worship had looked over the Act he held that Mr Thomas could not examine accused. Mr Thomas then addressed the Bench at length, reviewing the evidence, and asked his Worship to put everything brought against the accused, but the present larceny, on one side. The prosecutor had stated that he had not seen similar coats in New Zealand to the one he lost, and it had been proved that there were many similar ones in New Zealand. If there was the slightest doubt he trusted the Bench would give accused the benefit of it. His Worship said that sorry as he should be to record a conviction where there was the slightest possibility of a man being innocent, he must say that the evidence taken showed the accused to have committed the larceny. The only doubt on his mind was the evidence of the little girl, and it must be remembered that she was an intelligent child, and had heard the statement made by her, The accused had made a false statement to Dr Mclntyre which must be taken in connection with the remaining portion of the evidence. Sorry as he was to have to say it, he must say that he disbelieved the evidence given by the child. The accused would be sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, with hard labor. On the application of Mr Thomas, his Worship said that the money taken from the accused would be handed for the little girl’s support, and her clothes might also be taken possession of. l<\ McDonald was charged with the larceny of a dog, the property of J. Or. Cradock. When arrested, accused had said the dog had followed him and another person when they were driving from Leeston. At the request of the police the case was remanded until Thursday, bail being allowed in one surety of £SO.

LYTTELTON. Friday, July 21. (Before W, Donald, Esq., E.M.) Eepusal of Duty. —James Smith, cook and steward on board the barque Prince Alfred, was sentenced to one week’s imprisonment for this oli'ence,