MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1658, 13 June 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Fair at, Junk 13. [Before Q-. L. Hellish, Esq., R M.] Dbunk and Disobdeely.—A first offender was fined sj, and another drunkard 20s. Edwin Pardor was brought up on the triple charge of drunkenness, using obscene language, and resisting Constable Brooke in the execution of his duty, A fine of 10s wae inflicted for the obscene language, aud 20s for resisting the constable. Lakceny. —Maude Bridgeman was charged with stealing lace and wearing apparel, worth 10s, the property of Julia Higgs. Mr Neck appeared for the accused. The prosecutrix, who resides at Addington, and keeps a registry office and homo for female servants, stated that she had known the prisoner three or four months since she came out in the Piako. She got her a situation in the Hospital, aud last saw her on Wednesday evening, about tea time. She wont out and returned about eleven o’clock, and stayed in the house that night, leaving on the following morning. After she had gone prosecutrix mused some under-linen, and afterwards saw some lace upon her dress which she identified as hers. The missing articles were kept in the shop. She afterwards found some soiled linen which belonged to her at the Hospital. Constable Neal proved the arrest of the prisoner, who had some of the property alleged to have been stolen in her possrssion at the time. Mrs Welch, the female searcher at the lockup, deposed to finding two pieces of flannel belonging to the prosecutrix in her possession, This was the evidence for the prosecution. His Worship sentenced the accused to seven days' imprisonment with hard labor.

LYTTELTON. Fbidat, June 13. [Before Caleb Whitel'oord, Esq , R.M.] Stealing Newspaekes feom a Hotel. —Patrick Cormoliy was charged with the larceny of a newspaper from the Canterbury Hotel. Mr A. McDonald said he bad misse'd a good many papers lately. He found these (produced) in the prisoner’s possession on board the barque Orient. Their value is about 3s. Constable Moutray testified to arresting the man. Captain Anton, in answer to the Bench, said he was aniious that the man should be sent on board to complete his crew. The vessel would go to sea to-morrow morning (Saturday). The Bench said that, in consideration of the captain having agreed to pay the expemei, 17s 6i, that the prose* cutor had been put to, the prisoner would be sentenced to but twenty-four hours’ imprisonment, to be sent on board the Orient if she sailed before then.

Larcey.—George Simeson, charged with the larceny of an overcoat from the Mitre Hotel, the property of the proprietor, was presented on remand. Sergeant-major O’Grady asked to call Mr Hobbs, Christchurch, for the prosecution. Mr Nalder, for the prisoner, objected, as the prosecution had already closed its case at the former hearing. The Bench ruled that it would be competent for the prosecution to call one or more witnesses after the defence had closed its case. Frederick Hobbs, merchant tailor, Christchurch, deposed—l know Frederick Hill. I made him an overcoat in January, 1877. I would know the coat again. I can identify it by twenty different things. Witness was handed the coat and examined it. The coat in my hand is one made by me. Crossexamined—l identity the coat by the work, knowing the two men who made it. I won’t swear that there are any particular marks on the coat which I remember seeing at the time it was made. I know the coat, as truly as an artist would know his own picture, I know the coat was cut t by me. I recognise it by the material, the stitch, and the cut. The buttons on the coat and that upon the belt are marked in the same way. Captain Carver, ship Matilda, said the accused had been on board the vessel for forty-five days or so. The man is a well-behaved steady fellow. Alfred C >ggine, mate of the Matilda, said the'prisoner had been wearing the coat regularly for six weeks or so. He didn’t appear to attempt to conceal it. AU the lime the accused has been on board. From the first time lie came on board witness swore he had seen the accused with the coat on more or less every day. Robert Belgrave, licensed victualler, sworn said —I knew the prisoner in 1871. He stayed with mo four cr five days; prior to his discharge from the vessel he belonged to. He had then, a coat similar in appearance to the one produced as belonging to Mr Hill. This was in April last. I have known him since 1871, and always considered him respectable. Cross examined—l am not in the habit of inspecting men’s coats. The coat was a long one. J. T. H. Montgomery, Lyttelton Hotel, said the prisoner was staying at his house in April last. Ho wore a long black coat then Ho ivas very orderly and well behaved. The prisoner made a long statement of how ho bought the coat three or four years ago at Sydney for £3. The accused left the May Newton on May 23rd last. In consideration of the good character given the accused, he was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labor.