MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1656, 11 June 1879, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, June 11. [Before G. L. Mellisb, Esq., R.M.] Dbunk and Disorderly. —Three drunkard 0 were fined 10s and one ss. Larceny.— Two little boys named George Davis and Walter Curtis appeared to answer a charge of stealing some fruit from the promises of Sampson Orowther, a small storekeeper, in the Heathcote Yalley. Mr E. D. Thomas appeared on behalf of the accused, both of whom were children, whose mothers were each in attendance. Sampson Crowther, residing in the Heathcote Yalley, stated that on the 31st of May he locked up bis house and went out. On his return at three o’clock found one of the windows broken, which he had left fastened inside. On going in ho missed some fruit, a pork pie, and a pair of spectacles. The total value was about six or seven shillings. Davidson’s mother called the same evening on the matter, and subsequently returned the spectacles. The wife of the last witness corroborated his evidence, and stated that Davidson had admitted to his mother that he had taken the spectacles. Mrs Davidson said her son had admitted to her, that with the other lad he was in Orowther’s house on the 31st, and took some apples, the pie and the spectacles, which she returned, jit was at Curtis’ instigation that be wont in. Generally speaking her son was a vet/ good boy, and must have been led b j other Me, ffe trout to school regu-

larly. The evidence of Mrs Cuitls was to the effect that after hearing what her son was alleged to have done, she questioned him, and he admitted that he had florae of the fruit, but had remained outside wbde the other v® ;ti . Mr Thomas add'eneed the Bench on behalf of the boys, and trusted that out of consideration for the parents who wero very respectable people that a degrading punishment would not be inflicted on them. His Worship lectured each of the boys severely, and in discharging them said it was only out of consideration for the parents that ho did not order them to be severely flogged, which they certainly would bo if brought up again on such a charge.