MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1373, 10 July 1878, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, July 10. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Dhdnkbnnbss.—One first offender was fined ss - Neglected Chiidben.— George, Thomas, and Henry Munnery, aged respectively eight, six, and four years, were brought up as neglected children. The father is a baker, aged sixty-three, and living with a woman, not his wife, by whom he has had the children in question. He had applied to Mr March for relief, but the police considered the best relief, under the circumstances, would be the sending the children to the Industrial School. The parents are of dissipated habits, and the man’s eldest children, who were in Melbourne, would do nothing for him. The Bench considered it scarcely fair to saddle the State with the maintenance of the children when the parents spent in drink everything they received. The two, aged eight and six, he thought might be sent to the school, but steps should be taken first to insist upon the parents paying something towards their maintenance. They were remanded for a day. L ABCent. — Margaret Theresa Doran was charged with stealing from a shop an umbrella, worth 10s 6d, the property of Messrs Candy and Dewsbury. Artemus Candy deposed that prisoner on Tuesday came to his shop with another woman who made a small purchase. Prisoner left the shop before the other woman. Witness immediately missed an umbrella from near the door, and went with the policeman on the beat in search of prisoner. He came up to to her near the Golden Age, and saw her carrying an umbrella. Prisoner went into the Hotel, and asked her and her companion for the umbrella. Prisoner said she had none. The policeman searched the room where prisoner was, and found the umbrella. Constable Lawler confirmed the evidence of the previous witness. Isabella Lyons, a married woman, deposed that prisoner had been living with her and accompanied her to prosecutors’ shop. Witness made a purchase, and prisoner left the shop. Witness overtook her near the Bank of New Zealand, and went with her to the Golden Age. Witness did not notice an an umbrella in prisoner’s possession. When the policeman came in another woman pointed out the umbrella, and said that prisoner had put it where it was. Mr Candy was recalled and questioned by the Bench. He said he followed prisoner into the hotel immediately. Constable Lawler was recalled and said the same thing. Prisoner denied all knowledge of the theft. She was sentenced to fourteen days imprisonment with hard labour. George William Clay was charged with stealing from a dwelling a coat and jacket worth £2, the property of Mr Vincent Turner. Detective Walker deposed, that from information he had received, he went to Mr Stewart’s pawnshop on Tuesday afternoon. Prisoner came in while witness was there. The coat produced was lying on the counter. Prisoner, addressing Mrs Stewart, said, “What about the coat?” at the same time taking up the coat. Mrs Stewart said “There it is.” Witness took it from prisoner, and said it was stolen. [Prisoner here said he meant to plead guilty, it was needless to take further trouble.] Witness continued: Prisoner said “ No. I brought it from home.” Witness accompanied prisoner to Bligh’s, where he said he had more clothes, Mrs Bligh identified the coat as belonging to one of her boarders named Vincent Turner, Mrs Bligh accused prisoner of having a “ Cardigan jacket.” Prisoner said “Yes, I have it on, I stole them.” Prisoner said that he had nothing to say, except that he had been unable to get york and was almost starved. Mrs Bligh stated that prisoner had stopped at her house, and left owing her £3 4s. The articles stolen had been taken about 3 o’clock in the morning, and evidently by some one who knew the run of the house. Prisoner was sentenced to a month’s imprisonment with hard labor, Eaisb Pbetences. —John O’Callaghan was brought up, on a warrant issued at Ashburton, for obtaining goods by false pretences. On the application of Inspector Hickson, after evidence as to prisoner’s identity had been given, he was remanded to Ashburton. LYTTELTON. Wednesday, Judy 10. [Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M., and J. T. Rouse, Esq, J.P.J Stowaway.—George Campbell and John O’Connor were charged by the purser of the B.s. Eingarooma with stowing away aboard that steamer on the passage down from Wellington. The Bench ordered accused to pay double fare, in default seven days’ hard labor. Civil Case.—Garforth and Lee v Thomas Kelly, claim £3 10s 4d, judgment summons. Defendant ordered to pay £1 per month, in default to suffer one month's imprisonment.