MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 758, 24 November 1876, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. (Before G. L. Lee, H. Belfield Esqrs, and Dr Back, J.P's. Drunk and Disodebly—An inebriate, who appeared for the first time, was fined ss. Stealing prom the Person. Henry Daneby was charged with stealing a watch, the property of James Davis. Davis is a laborer, living in Lyttelton. On the 9th, he came to Christchurch and got intoxicated j remembered having his watch between 10 and 11 o'clock on that night; next morning he found himself in a paddock near the Kailway Station, his watch and chain having been taken. He idehtified the watch and chain produced, which he valued at £5. Did not know the prisoner. Detectives Kirby. and Smith found that the prisoner had three swags at the railway station, and on searching one in prisoner's presence, and which he pointed out as his, they found the watch and chain, and on being asked to account for it being there, prisoner said it must have been put there by some one. Denied the offence. Convicted and sentenced to six months' imprisonment, with hard labor. John Henry Ford was brought up on two charges of picking the pockets of two women at Ick's salerooms on the afternoon of the 23rd. Mr Izard appeared for the accused. The evidence was incomplete. Mrs Green deposed to being in the saleroom on that afternoon. Prisoner was standing by her when she missed her purse. She turned round and asked him if he had seen the purse. He said he had not, but appeared very much confused. Wheu lost the purse contained £1 17s 6d. The purse was afterwards given to her by the storeman, but it was then empty. Other witnesses were called, but the charge could not be established, and the case was dismissed. The second case was stealing a purse from Mrs Hay, but after going a short way into the case the police decided to go no farther, and the charge was dismissed. LYTTELTON. Friday, November 24. [Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M.] Drunkenness.—Bobert Evane, arrested by Constable Johnstone, charged with this offence, was fined 10s. Absent Without Leave.—Frederick C. Leuty was brougnt up, on warrant, charged with this offence. MrH. N. Nalder appeared for the defence, and stated that the captain of the Annie 8. Hall, to which the accused belonged, was willing to grant him his discharge. The Bench allowed the case to be withdrawn.