MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1206, 15 January 1878, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHUECH. Monday, Januaby 14. [Before Dr. Back and F. Hobbs, Esq., J.P.'s.] Lakceny.—Robert William Jones was charged with stealing from the boardinghouse of Mrs Elizabeth Sliiels, Oxford Terrace, £l6, the property of James Stevens. — He pleaded guilty.—The Inspector said that the amount of money being over .£lO, the case must gj on.—James Stevens deposed to the prisoner lodging in the same house with him. Witness arrived here on Boxing Hay. Next day he drew from the bank £O2 10s. From the Union Bank he got three £lO notes, the remainder being £5 and £1 notes. He met prisoner about a week after arriving. Witness went to bed about 5 o'clock on the evening of the oth instant. As well as he could recollect, his money was in his trousers pocket. He opened the purse and saw the money in it. There was £l6 10s. Three £5 notes, a £l, and a half-sovereign. No one slept in the same room. At daybreak the next morning he awoke, and prisoner was in the room. Tn reply to a question from witness, prisoner said, " I am feeling how your head is." Prisoner had his hand under witness's head then. Witness told him to go away, as he wanted to sleep. Prisoner went away, and witness went to sleep in a few minutes. Between 5 and It o'clock witness awoke, and found that the pui'3o and the money were gone from under the pillow. Witness called Mrs Shiels, and a few hours later accompanied her to the police-station. On the way thither they met the prisoner, who said, " I hope you don't accuse me of having taken your money." Witness had not spoken to prisoner about his loss. Witness made no reply, and then prisoner offered a pound to Mrs Shieis. Prisoner knew witness had money, but not the amount. Witness had paid for drinks on several occasions, and treated prisoner to the theatre once. Mrs Shiels, formerly keeper of a boardinghouse in Oxford Terrace, gave similar evidence. Tn answer to prisoner, witness denied that she had told prisoner of Stevens's loss, but she had heard some one tell him. Walsh slept that night in the room of Mr Stevens. Prisoner had paid for another boarder in the beginning of January. He was drunk when he met her and prosecutor.— Henry Allan, licensee of the Golden Age Hotel, deposed to prisoner's calling, between 7 and 8 on last Thursday morning, with three others, and treating them. Prisoner paid with a£s note of the Union Bank. While prisoner was at the counter, Detective Walker called him into a parlor and searched him in witness's presence. Prisoner had eight single notes, a £5 notes, and some silver, about 7s 6d. He did not conceal the notes.— Richard Duhrkoop, assistant barman at the Clarendon, deposed to prisoner having called about 7 o'clock in the morning, on Thursday. He had some one with him, and had two drinks, for which he paid Is. He then called for stfme more, and tendered a £5 note on the Union Bank. It was a new note. Allan J. Ninar, successor to Mrs Shiels, deposed that prisoner had borrowed 2s (id from him on the Bth inst. Prisoner had been under the influence of liquor, more or less, ever since he knew him.—Detective Walker deposed to having been informed of the robbery about a quarter to eight in the morning. Witness went for prisoner, whom he found at the Golden Age. Witness detailed the result of his searching the prisoner, and his arrest. Prisoner said he could prove that prosecutor had no money. On the way to the station prisoner said, " Is this going to be a Supreme Court case, because rather than go to the Supreme Court I will plead guilty.—When Constable Briggs was taking the charge in the lock-up, prisoner said, " Have it off to-day, Walker, and I'll plead guilty." Prisoner was under the influence of drink then, but knew pretty well what he was about.—Constable Briggs corroborated the previous witness as to the conduct of prisoner at the lockup. Prisoner subsequently gave witness £l, which he said he had "planted." It was a Union Bank note. This was the case. The evidence was then read over, and the prisoner was cautioned and asked what he had to say. He declined to say anything, and was committed for trial at the next criminal sessions. Tuesdvy, Jakuaky 15. [Before G-. L. Lee and Dr. Deamer, J.P.'s.] Illegally on Pkeauses. —Samuel Barns, who pleaded "too much beer," was charged with this offence, and fined os. LAECEJ.Y. —John E, Taylor, alias Thompson, e.n old offender, against whom a dozen convictions had previously been recorded, was charged with stealing a pair of boots, worth 183 6d, the property of Mr Yates, of Colombo street. The offence was proved by the eTidenc3 of Mr Hale, who saw prisoner take the boots, and Mr Yates, who arrested him as he was leaving the shop. He was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labor.

Valueless Cheque. William James Lovell was charged with obtaining money by means of a valueless cheque, and was remanded till Thursday.

Dksebtino Appbenticesiiip. David Findley was brought up, on remand, on a charge of deserting his apprenticeship. Mr Thomas appeared for Mr Walker, defendar.t's master ;Mr Long]man for defendant. The caso had been partly heard. Some additional evidence was now given. Mr Thomas said that Mr Walker was willing to take defen dant back, providing an order was niado com pelling him to make up for lost time. An order was made accordingly, that defendant should return to his servico and work i>ut the CJKlit JBOBtJig \mik Mi feegn, Job£,