MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1284, 1 May 1878, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, Mat 1. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq , R.M.J Drunk and Disorderly.—James Earn, charged with being drunk and using obscene language in Gloucester street, was fined 20s and Is cab hire. Larceny and Receiving.—Moses Corkin, a young boy, was charged with stealing a watch belonging to Alfred Denham, Ferry road, and Joshua Corkin, his father, was charged with receiving the same, knowing it to be stolen. Mrs Denham stated that on last Friday morning between nine and eleven she missed a watch from the mantel piece of her house and 2s 3d in silver. Last saw them on same morning between eight and nine. She was working at the back when the watch was stolen. Saw no one about, and reported the matter to the police. The watch produced is the one she lost. There was no scratch on the back, and it had not been rubbed with sand-paper before it was stolen, as it now seemed to have been. Valued the watch at £5. It was the property of her husband, and no one had been authorised to dispose of it or take the money from the mantelpiece. The only persons at home with witness at the time were her children. Detective Benjamin stated that from information received of a boy having been in the neighborhood on the morning in question selling water-cress, and learning that the younger accused, who bore the description of the lad, was in the habit of going round with cress, he went to Mrs Corkin's place and told her he had learnt that the boy had found a watcb. After some hesitation she said ho had, and that it was locked up in a box. He went in and got the watch produced. He then charged the boy, who was present, with stealing the watch and 2s 3d, and arrested him. Tho boy made no reply at the time, but afterwards said ho gave tho watcli and 2s to his father. The elder Corkin catno home shortly afterwards and said that the 2$ ho got from his son were 2s his wife had left on the mantel-piece to buy bread and mutton. Arrested the elder prisoner this morning, and told him he was charged with receiving stolen property. Ho said ho did not know it was stolen, and had beaten his boy twice to tell the truth where he got it. He said he knew the boy was a thief, and he knew he ought to have taken the watch to the police when the boy brought it home, and he didn't know why he Lad not done so. ' Ho also said the boy did not give him either the watch or money, but gave it to his little sister and the girl had given it to him, and he supposed it was the money his wife had left to buy food with. Witness had been speaking to Corkin in Cathedral square on Monday last, and he said nothing then about tho boy having found the watoh. Corkin also told witness that the boy said he had found the watoh in a waibtcoast pocket in a gravel pit, '

He also said it was scratched as it is at present when he got it from the boy. Inspector Hickson said ho could produce evidence to show that the boy was seen in the neighborhood of the prosecutor's place on the morning the watch was stolen. His Worship said ho did not think anv more evidence was

necessary. In reply to the Beech the elder prisoner made a statement as to the badness of the boy, who would not go to school, and that he had beaten him to tell him where he had got it. There were two previous convictions for larceny against the elder Corkin, and he was sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labor. The lad, who was ten years of age, was ordered to be sent to the Industrial school for five years, to be brought up in the teaching of the Church of England. Transfer op License.—A transfer of the license of the St. George and Dragon Hotel was granted from George Rogers to George Simmonds.

LYTTELTON. Wednesday, May 1. [Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M., and J. T. Rouse, Esq., J.P.] Abusive Language.—James Pope was charged by H. Newton, licensee of the hotel at the Head of the Bay, with abusive language and with damaging property. On the 23rd instant accused had used violent language to prosecutor, who was obliged to put him out the house, when Pope smashed one window with a stone. The Bench fined the accused 20s for the assault, court costs 10s, witnesses expenses 17s 6d, solicitor's fee 21s. They also ordered accused to be bound over to keep the peace for twelve months, or in default three months imprisonment. Beeach op Public House Ordinance.— W. W. Wood, licensee of the Lyttelton Hotel, was charged with having kept his licensed house open during prohibited hours on Sunday, April 28th. Mr H. N. Nalder appeared for the defence. It appeared that tie barman, in opposition to Mr Wood's orders, had given a friend of his who lived at Mr Anderson's in Lyttelton, a pint of beer and lemonade on the day in question. The Bench inflicted a fine of £2.