MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1351, 13 June 1878, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH Thuesday, June 13. [Before GK L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Deunkenness. —James Brown was charged with being drunk and disorderly, also with assaulting Constable GHackin in the execution of his duty. He was fined 10s and 40s for the respective offences. One first offender was fined ss, and ordered to pay 4s for cab hire.

Foul Language.— I Timothy Sullivan was charged with using obscene language in a public place whilst he was in a state of intoxication. He was fined 20s.

Laeceny. —James Wilton, on remand, was charged with stealing a muff and horse rug, valued at 295, the property of Arthur Walker. The following witnesses gave evidence : David Hugh Christie, confectioner, deposed— About half-past six on Tuesday, he watched prisoner and saw him grasp a rug at Mr Walker’s shop. The rug did not come away. Just then a constable passed. As soon as the constable had passed, prisoner succeeded in getting the rug. Witness then chased him, and collared him, but he got away. Mr Walker came up, and witness and Walker chased prisoner for some time before they caught him. Arthur Walker deposed that on Tuesday evening prisoner brought in to his shop a piece of plaid, and asked the price of it, and how many yards there were of it. Witness thought it suspicious, and followed him out of his shop. He told Sergeant Beck of his suspicious and returned to the shop. Shortly afterwards he saw prisoner remove the horse cloth. Finding that he had been seen stealing this, prisoner threw it back. Witness followed him, and when he caught prisoner the latter throw away the muff produced and a satchel. The muff was witness’s property. But for Mr Bashford’o assistance prisoner would have escaped. To prisoner’—l saw you take the rug. You did not lift it from the ground and throw it to my little girl. Reexamined —I identify the muff as my property. The prisoner simply denied the theft. A record of a previous conviction was handed to the Bench, who sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment, with hard labor. Inspector Hickson said he had been unable to learn whose property the other articles found upon prisoner were.