MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1657, 12 June 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Thuesdat, June 12. [Before Caleb Whitefoord, Esq , R.M.] UfITJNK AND DISOEDEELY. Two first offenders were fined 5s each, and a third old offender 20s. Vaghuncy.— Annie Wharton was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labor as an idle and disorderly vagrant. Lahceny.— Jo l n W. Able'.t was again brought up, remanded from the previous day, on a charge of stealing tools, the property of a fellow-workman, named James Plank. Sergeant Morico stated that the accused had restored all the tools that he had made use of, and, further, that nothing was recorded against his honesty. The accused pleaded that in temporarily raising money on the tools ho hnd no dishonest intention, and called Mr Osborne, for whom he had been working a long time, to speak to his character. That gentleman not being present, Mr Walker, the Clerk of the Court, voluuteered to speak on behalf of the accused whom he had known for some years as a respectable tradesman. Latterly, he had unfortunately given way (o drink, which muat have been the cause of his getting into trouble, Three other independent witnesses also gave him an excellent character. Under these circumstances Mr Whitefco.d said he was very loth to blast the man's diameter for life by convicting him of theft, and would give him the benefit of the doubt of his intention when ho took the tool?, and also the advantage of the good opinion of the witnesses who had spokm for him. Still, it was a very serious offence, and while discharging him ho pointed out to the accused (ho serious risk he had run, and cautioned him as to his conduct for the future. Accused was then discharged.