MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 951, 12 July 1877, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHEISTCHUKCH. Thursday, July 12. (Before G-. L. Mcllish, Esq., E.M.)

Larceny from the Pjskson.—Henry Edwards, charged with stealing a watch and chain from G-. Poole, was remanded until 13th inst. on the application of Inspector Buckley.

Drunk and Disorderly.—Jonn Kennington, for being drunk while in charge of a horse and cab, was lined 20s. Ellen Thompson, was fined in a similar amount.

Stealing- fboji a Dwelling.—William Thompson was charged on remand with break - into a dwelling in June last, at Halswell, and stealing two coats, pair of blankets, a £5 note, and a hat. When arrested by Detective Benjamin accused said he had not broken into the house, but had stolen the coats and blankets. He had sold one of them to a storekeeper at Prebbleton, and the other to a man named Hands at the Cust. Witness then took accused to a whare where he had been camping, and found the blankets, hat, and comforter produced. Accused had the trousers now in Court on him at the time. William Banks called, stated he was employed looking after a farm for Mr Gray at Halswell, and lived on the farm in a two-roomed house. On 22nd June last he left the house at eight o'clock in the morning. The door was secured by a latch, and any person entering would hare to raise it. Returned shortly after nine o'clock same morning, and found the accused and another man in the house. They left about a quarter of an hour afterwards. Witness left the house at the same time as the men, and on returning a little after three o'clock found the door latched as ho had left it. About an hour afterwards missed two coats (one a blue cloth overcoat, and the other a macintosh), a comforter, pair of trowsers, pair of blue blankets, a£s note, and hat. All the articles missing had been left by witness in the bedroom, and the £5 note was in a purse in the pocket of a coat which was not taken. The articles produced were those that had been stolen, and belonged to witness. Accused had no right whatever to be in the house, or remove the property. He was employed on the farm, but not by Mr Gray. Valued the property stolen at £Bl2s, exclusive of the £5. William Hands, farm labourer, living at the Cust, gave evidence of accused coming to him on the 25th of June last, asking for work. He said he was a runaway sailor, and wanted to get out of the way of the police. On the evening of the day accused told witness he had a coat to sell, and next morning witness bought it for five shillings. The coat produced was the one. William Hazlehurst, storekeeper at Prebbleton, called, stated that on the afternoon of the 22nd of June accused made some purchases at his store, and tendered a fivepound note in payment. Witness was short of change at the time, and gave accused a cheque of his own for £1 and 3s f)d in silver. Accused came back afterwards and said he could not get the cheque cashed, and bought some more goods. Accused, while putting the articles in his swag, pulled out a coat which said he wanted to sell, and witness gave him £1 for it. The coat produced is the same. Accused reserved his defence, and was committed to take his trial at the next criminal session of the Supreme Court. LYTTELTON. Tuuksday, July 12. (Before 11. E. Webb and'H. Allwright, Esqrs., V J.P.'s.) Refusal OF Duty.—llamleyJohnTrussoy, steward on board the William Davie, was brought up charged with this offence, and dismissed. Mr H. N. JMder appeared for the defendant.