MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1777, 31 October 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHKISTCHT7BOH. Friday, October 31. [Before O. L. Mellish, Esq., E.M.I Drunk and Disorderly. —A female was fined ss. Illegally Pawning. —William Mathews was (charged with illegally pledging a watch, the property of Patrick Byan. From the evidence of the prosecutor, a laborer in the employ of the City Council, it appeared that in December last he entrusted bis watch to the accused to get cleaned and repaired. Instead of doing so, the accused, after putting off the prosecutor from time to time, pawned the watch at S. Stewart’s, the pawnbroker. These facts were proved by an assistant of Mr Stewart’s and by Detective Benjamin, who arrested him. The prisoner, who appeared to feel bis position acutely, said he had no felonious intention, but what he had done was through pressure of pecuniary distress, and called Messrs Rutland, Yoisard, Taylor and Barrett, who gave him a good character for sobriety and industry. Mr Inspector Hickson asked that the prisoner might be dealt with leniently on account of his wife and children. Regarding all the circumstances, his Worship would take the most lenient view of the case, and sentenced the accused to fourteen days’ imprisonment with hard labor under the Vagrant Act. His Worship pointed’ out to the prisoner that had the case been dealt with under the Pawnbroker’s Act he « had rendered himself liable to two years’ imprisonment with hard labor. Perjury. —Thomas Kelly, alias Denis ■ Anglin, was brought up on a warrant charging him with failing to appear at the Supreme Court, Dunedin, on the 6th January, 1879, to answer to a charge of perjury. He had pro- - viously been committed for trial by the Dunedin Bench and admitted to bail. Mr Inspector Hickson said the accused had been arrested by Detective Benjamin from a description in the “ Police Gazette.” The - resemblance was perfect, and the Inspector would ask for the detention of the prisoner until the authorities in Dunedin could be communicated with and the identity proved. Detective Benjamin detailed the circumstances ■ of the arrest, and the Bench, considering the eircumstances justified the detention of the - accused, remanded him until next Tuesday. Larceny.— Frederick Fi«iois Clayton was • charged with stealing a pair of blankets, the property of John Mussen. The prosecutor was unable to substantiate the charge, which the Bench dismissed. Assault. —Robert Wright was charged • with violently assaulting John Barrett, landlord of the Borough Hotel. The prosecutor stated that he had put the accused out of the hotel the previous evening for quarrelling ■ with other men and creating a disturbance in the house. Shortly afterwards he opened the door, and the accused, who was outside, threwa stone at him which struck him on the head. The accused, in defence, said the prosecutor struck him and provoked him to throw the • stone, and he called a witness who corroborated his statement. The Bench fined the accused 20s. LYTTELTON. Friday, October 31. [Before J. Beswick, Esq., 8.M., T. H. Potts, Esq., J.P., and J. T. Bouse, Esq., J.P.] Civil Oases. —Hollis and Williams v J. Robinson, claim for £4lss 4d ; set-off put in not acknowledged by the plaintiff. Defendant acknowledged the plaintiff’s claim. Adjourned to procure accounts. Whitby v G. Young, claim £ll7s 6d; immediate execution granted. De Costa v Mayze, claim for £3O, or restitution of goods given to defendant as bailee. Mr O’Neil for plaintiff; Mr Izard for defendant. The evidence in tbe case was taken last Wednesday, and was very voluminous. The Bench gave judgment for the amount claimed, to be reduced to nil upon the goods being returned. The Bench stated that the evidence had been considered very carefully, and the Bench were of the opinion that the - defendant was really the bailee of the articles claimed, but no decision was given as to who the articles rightly belong to. The trustee in ■ plaintiff’s estate should perhaps look after them. The Bench considered that the evidence disclosed in the case was very discreditable to all parties concerned.