MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1811, 10 December 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, December 10. [Before G. L. Mellish, R.M.] Drunk and Disorderly.—One drunkard was fined ss. Stealing Tools.— David Tinker, alios Tucker, alias Henry Draper, was charged with stealing carpenter’s tools, the property of Joseph Harrop. Joseph Harrop, a cabinetmaker, residing in Sydenham, and in the employ of George Richardson, deposed that the previous day he missed a vice and bit from hia workshop. They were there lost Saturday, The tools produced were those he lost, and they had cost 15s when new. The accused said he purchased them, and he could bring a witness up who saw the transaction. Robert Airey, a lad employed by Mr Richardson, identified the brace and bit produced as the property of Harrcp. Dettctive Benjamin deposed that he arrested the prisoner the previous morning, in the Queen’s Hotel. He said that the brace belonged to him. Mr Inspector Hickson said there were two other charges against the prisoner of stealing tools. The prisoner was charged with stealing a rule belonging to the witness Airey. Airey stated the rule was left in the workshop last Monday night when he left the premises, locking them up and leaving the key in the door. The prisoner was remanded until Friday, the 12th inst. Illegally Pledging.—Catherine Wallace, defended by Mr Joyce, pleaded “ Guilty ” to pawning a piece of cloth, value 30s, the properly of Anne Jury. Mr Joyce said it was a vary painful case, but there was no intention to commit a felony. The defendant, who was in straitened circumstances, had pawned the piece of cloth to get the’ means of finishing two dresses, hoping by that means to be able to redeem the pledged article. Annie Thompson, wife of J. M. Thompson, sewing machine importer, Colombo street, said the accused, a dressmaker, had worked for her ; she had been in very poor circumstances, even to wanting food, during the past winter, and sbo (witness) had assisted her and given her occasional employment. Witness would rather have lent or given the prisoner money than see her where she was, as she believed her to bo a honest, hard-working woman. His Worship said, as the woman had pleaded “ Guilty,” and ha had a great aversion to sending women to prison, he would take the case as one of larceny as a bailee, and deal with it without sending it to trial, though he doubted if he ought not to send it to trial. As there was nothing known against the prisoner, she would be sentenced to one week’s imprisonment with hard labor, Stealing Leather.—Thomas Jones was charged with breaking into and stealing from the premises of Messrs Lightband, Allan and Co., Hereford street, leather to the value of £7. The prisoner was remanded until Friday next. Transfer.—The Sumner Hotel from J. W. Morton to Jas. Paterson. LYTTELTON. Wednesday, December 10. [Before J. T. Rouse, E?q., J.P.] Absent Without Leave. Cornelias Desmond, a seaman belonging to the brig Emily, was charged with being absent without leave. The charge was withdrawn, and the accused sent on hoard. Larceny.—George Wadsworth was presented for stealing a pair of boot tops, the property of W. Young, bootmaker. The police asked for a remand until Friday, which was granted. Furious Driving. James Pope, for furious driving on London street, was fined 20s.