MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1402, 13 August 1878, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday, August 13th, 1878. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq, R M.]

Drunkenness. —One first offender was fined ss. James Parr, against whom previous convictions had been recorded, was fined 20s. Lahceny.— William Allan, alias Belgrave, and Maurice Fitzpatrick, were charged with stealing a watch and chain, value £5, the property of Thomas Kueen. The prosecutor, a laborer, deposed that on Monday the sth instant he was drinking about Christchurch, among other places at the White Hart, between 10 and 12 in the forenoon. He got drunk. Ho missed his watch at about 1 o’clock, when leaving the White Hart. The watch produced was the game. The chain was with it. Their value was £5. Frank Roland, barman at the White Hart, remembered seeing prosecutor in the bar on the morning of the sth. Prisoner were there about the same time. He did not remember prosecutor having drink, but the prisoner did. Allan seemed to be in company with everybody. Allan told witness that ho had no money. In the afternoon he returned and showed some money and a silver watch with a chain. He saw the prisoners together the following morning. They were together when Allan showed the watch. To Fitzgerald—l know it was Monday that I saw you. The first time I saw you was the day before you were arrested. You told me that the coloured man (Allan) had pawned the watch, but that Mr Stewart would not at first take it, as he thought it was crooked. You said that you had gone to Stewart’s and made it all right. You told mo you had been Allan’s boss. You told me that Allan was to get some money at Mr Joynt’s office. [Mr T. W. Hall here took a seat on the Bench.] Samuel Stewart, pawnbroker, deposed to Allan’s pawning the watch on Wednesday morning, a little after eight o’clock. Witness noticed the number on the watch, and told Allan that a watch similar to it had been lost, and ho (prisoner) would have to call ag.du. Allen said it was all right. He gave the name of John Smith, and said the watch was his own. Almost directly after that Fitzpatrick came and asked witness if he had knb the darkey 10s on the watch. Witness said, “No.” Ho said you might have done. The watch belonged to my wife. Witness said, “ That ’s all the better ; you send him back, and then he can have the money.” Fitzpatrick said that Allan had told him that the watch was stolen, ami they had better both clear out. Fitzpatrick gave his name correctly. Neit her gave the name of Martin. About twelve o’clock Fitzpatrick returned, and asked if the darkey had been in. Other conversation ensued. W hen first Fitzpatrick came, he said, “ Wo have been waiting for you to open the shop. I brought, Allan down to show him the place.” Witness had previously received the number of a stolen witch

which answered to that they offered. To Fitzpatrick—You said that it was all right. Dtetectivo Benjamin deposed to arresting Allan at noon on Wednesday, at the Black Horse Hotel. When charged with stealing the watch and chain and pawning them, Allan said “ What, I pawn a watch ?” Sometime after he said that Fitzpatrick had given him the watch at the hospital that morning, and’had asked him to pledge the watch for him. Witness arrested Fitzpatrick at three o’clock in the afternoon of the 7th, in Colombo street, near the City Hotel. When charged he made no answer for some time, but on the way to the depot he said that he had got the watch from the darkey, who had told him that it belonged to his wife, and that if it had been stolen be (Fitzpatrick) knew nothing about it. Prisoner Fitzpatrick said ho could call a witness, who was in Court, to prove that he (Fitzpatrick) was not in Christchurch on the sth instant. The depositions were then read over. Fitzgerald then called his wife to prove that he did not come to town till Tuesday, the 6th inst., but he was informed by the Bench that his wife was not a competent witness. Ho then said that he had come to town with Mr White, In order to give him time to get his witnesses, the case was adjourned till Thursday, he being allowed bail —two sureties in £SO each. Protection Order. —The esse of Matilda Simmons against Harry Simmons was called on, but Mr Thomass informed the Bench that the matter had been satisfactorily arranged out of Court.