MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1697, 29 July 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTOHT7RCH. Tuesday, Juxy 2D. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.]. Dhdne a>-jj Disokdbely.—A first offender waa fined 3s, Dog SruALiNO-.—Robert Schott was charged with stealing a dog value at £2, tko property of Harry Groodger. Mr R. D. Thomas appeared for tho a?cused. The complainant, a cab owner, residing in Si. Asaph street, said in tho latter eud of February or tho beginning of March, he missed a brown bull terrier pupfromhispremiaes. He next saw itfollowing a man of fcke name of Towncnd, who gave a satisfactory account of how he becama possessed of it. Detective Benjamin wn present. The dog in Court is the same dog, and is worth £2. Some days after ho met Tjwnend again, and took the dog from him. When witness lost the dog he was six months' old. Had 'previously sold the dog to a man named Rogers, and bought it back from him. When he lost the dog ho had a white tip at tho end of his tail, which was cut off when he got it back again. Alfred D. Townshend, clerk to Mr Williams, solicitor, stated that he bought the dog from a Mr

Horatio Jones, and the complainant took the dog from him about the 22ad instant. He got the dog and paid a portion of the purchase money about the Bth instant, and the 'balance about tho 20th instant. Did not cut the dog's tail while it was in his possession. Paid £1 for the dog. Horatio Jones deposed that he sold the dog in Court to the last -witness. The accused gave him the dog to sell. He said he wanted £l, and afterwards that lie would take 10s for it. He said ho obtained the dog at the beginning of tho year from a man who came from Wellington. The aocused's mother and brother told the sime •atory in his pr?sence. Detective Stephenson proved the arrest of the accused on a warrant. When arrested he said tho dog was given to Jiim about five months ago by a man who came from Wellington, and knew his brother. Ho did not know the man's name, but ho lived with a man named Brown, near the Gas Works. Had since tried but hud failed to find the man there. There was no man named Bro wn residing noart r to the Qua Works than Innes' browery. The accused, a cutler in High street, said that at tho beginning of tho year a man called on him, who said ho had Been his brother then. He had a dog with him, a d witness asked him to give it to him, but ho fluid he could not give it, but ho would 1 live the dog wiih him to take care of it, and if he did not call for it ho (witness) might claim it as hia own. The man gave him tho dog in the preeenco of witness's brother, mother, and a witness named Cole. When witness got the dog there was no white tip to his tail. When Goodger claimed tho dog witr.ess explained tho circumstances under which he obtained it. He also told Detectivo Stephenson how he got the do*, and said there were several persons present at tho time. Got rid of the dog on account of its destructiveness to bis father's fowls. Margaret Schott, the mother of tho acciwed, corroborated his evidence as to how he fi si obta ; ncd p a :oasu n of the dog. She suid the deg was afterwards registered in her husband's name, and they had had it ever since. Adam Sclu t;, brother of the accused, gave similar testimony. William Cole, theatrical stage carpenter, stated he was present when the dog was to the accused, and corroborated the evidonco of tho previous witness. Tho Bench held that there was no question as to the dog being the property of tho complainant, but there was not the slightest proof that the accused had come by it dishonestly. He was accordingly discharged. liAßCßNY.—William Buchanan was charged with stealing a watch, value £2, the property of George Rossitcr. On the application of the police, the prisoner was remanded until Thursday, the 31st inßt. Stealing a Swag.—David Gray was charged with stealing o swag, value £3, tho property of Georgo Hallswor'th. Tho prisoner pleaded guilty to taking the swag, but said it ■was in a mistake. The prisoner was jußt out of gaol, where he had passed most of tho time for tho last two years, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labor.