MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1753, 2 October 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

OHEISTOHUROH. Thubsdat, Sbptkmdhh 2. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., E. M.] Laeceky. John Duncan and Joseph McCabe were charged with stealing a swag, tho property of some Iperson unknown. Duncan pleaded “ Not guilty,” and Mr Inspector Hickson said there was nothing to show that McCabe was in any way connected with the theft, and he would ask that he be discharged, and he would then put him in the witness box to give evidence as to how ho became connected with Duncan. Constable Glackin proved arresting the two men in Colombo fltreet on the preceding evening. McCabe was carrying a swag, at the request he said of Duncan, who was the worse for liquor. McCabe was put in the witness box, and stated that the prisoner Duncan, whom he had never met before, asked him to carry the swag for him, and when doing so he was arrested by a constable for stealing it. William Eiddey, licensee of the Golden Fleece Hotel, said that the swag produced had been left at the hotel by some man, whom he ceuld not remember, last Monday evening. He had not called for it since, and he did not know whom the swag belonged to. A remand was granted for the polioe to find an owner- for the swag, and McCabe was discharged. Selling Without a Licbkbb. —The adjourned case of illegally selling liquor without a license, against Samuel Nutt, storekeeper, of Tai Tapu, was again brought forward for the decision of the Bench. Mr Gordon Holmes appeared for the defendant, and, with reference to two of the chargee, argued that the defendant, being absent when the alleged sales had taken place, was not liable, as the sales had been the act of his wife. He quoted the case Regina v. McQueen ex parte Hall, Vic. L.E., vol. 1. His Worship said he should like further time to look up other authorities. Mr Holmes asked for a rehearing of the other coses, on the ground that his client had not bad sufficient time for his defence. His Worship declined to grant a re-hearing, and reserved his decision until Saturday. Libel.— Matthew Henderson was charged with having, on the Bth of September, unlawfully and maliciously published a defamatory libel of and concerning Thomas Bates. Mr Thomas appeared for the prosecutor, and Mr Joyce for the accused, Oa the application of Me Joyce tho case was remanded until the following day at 2 p.m.