MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1464, 25 October 1878, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRIBTCHURCH. Fbiday, Octobbb 25. [Before Gh L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Drunk and Disoedebly.—Robert Q.uayle was fined 10s, and a first offender ss. Obtaining Money Undeb False Pretences.—Seymour H. Saunders was charged with obtaining money and goods by means of a valueless cheque from J. Le Masurier, tailor, High street, on the 21st instant. Mr Inspector Hickson said there were other charges against the prisoner, and asked that he might be remanded for a few days. The prisoner was accordingly remanded to the 29th instant, bail being allowed. Stealing fbom the Person.—John Elliott Ayers was brought up on remand, charged with stealing the sum of £2 10s from George Sinclair King on the 21st instant. Mr Izard appeared for the prisoner. The prosecutor Btated that he was a chemist, and at present was staying at Mrs Drury's, Hereford Boarding House, Durham street. Was boarding at the British Hotel up to last Sunday, and on that day went to stop at Mrs Drury's. Had frequently seen the prisoner at the British Hotel. He was there last Saturday. Pri-

Boner had a drink, and the witness asked him to pay what he owed. Prisoner said if he did not get word from Australia soon he would be " on the rocks" or thereabouts. Prisoner did not settle his account when asked. Witness went to Port List Sunday, and saw the prisoner on the Gladstone Pier, and afterwards returned to Christchurch together by tbe 550 tram, and went back to Mrs Drury's. Both stopped there on Sunday night, and prosecutor and witness went out about eight o'clock to the White Swan Hotel, for a drink. From thence they went to the Kiccarton Hotel, and in the evening to the Palace Hotel, where they had drink?, witness paying for them out of a pound note. Prosecutor had two other pound notes, and seven or eight shillings in silver. The prisoner was close by when prosecutor paid for the drinks, but witness could not undertake to say whether he saw the money paid. Prosecutor received half a sovereign and eight shillings change. They then returned home. The prosecutor here wished to correct his evidence, and said it was in the morning that he went to the Palace Hotel, and left it about noon, returning to Mrs Drury I. He believed he went up to his bedroom, but could not speak positively, being the worst tor drink. Prosecutor then lay down, and the next thin* he remembered was being wakened by aomo one pulling at his pockets. Prisoner was standing at the bedside with his coat and boots off. He had one hand in prosecutor a waistcoat pocket, and with the other he was Bulling away from his watch pocket. Asked him what he was doing, taking the money from his pockets, and threatened if he did not return it to report it to the police. Prisoner said, "I'll slap your face if you accuse me of taking your money. I don t care a £ If they find it on me they can get it " The prisoner then went out, and prosecutor lay down again. About an hour afterwards the prisoner went out, prosecutor got up, and subsequently reported the loss of his money (£2 18s) to the landlady. He missed the money directly after the prisoner left his bedroom and went out. lhe prosecutor afterwards reported his loss to the police, and Sergeant Morice went back with him to the house and charged the prisoner with stealing the money, at the same time arresting him. The prisoner, on being searched, had 28s in silver about him. Prosecutor said the last time he had his money safe was before leaving the Palace Hotel. Cross-examined by Mr Izard-He stated that he had been drinking since eight o clock in the morning, but he first felt overcome with liquor when in the Palace Hotel. William Knipler, the night porter at the City Hotel, remembered seeing the prosecutor and the prisoner drinking on Monday night at the Palace Hotel. Prosecutor paid for the drinks with a pound note. Witness left after that. Mrs Drury, the landlady of the Hereford Boarding house, stated that when the prosecutor and prisoner returned to the house on the Monday they were both under the influence of liquor, but the prosecutor was the worse of the two. The prisoner helped him up-stairs, and then came down to his dinner. He afterwards went up-stairs again, and remained about an hour. During that time she heard some one walk from the room occupied by the prisoner to the prosecutor's. She heard them talking, and directly afterwards the prisoner came down and quitted the house. He shortly afterwards returned and paid two half-sovereigns to her for what he owed. He had paid witness the previous week what he owed. Sergeant Morice proved the arrest of the prisoner and finding loose money about him. The prisoner reproached the prosecutor with giving him into custody, and said that was what came of taking care of a drunken man. Mr Izard addressed the Bench on behalf of the prisoner. His Worship carefully reviewed the evidence of the prosecutor, which he said was corroborated by that of the landlady. He had not a shadow of a doubt of the guilt of the prisoner, who would be sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labor.