MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1876, 27 February 1880, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHBISTCHUBCH. Fbeday, Fbbbuaby27. [Before J. E. Parker and E. C. Latter, Esqs., J.P.'s] Dbtjhk and Disobdbei«y.—A man and woman, both old habitues of the Court, were fined 20» and 5s respectively. Larceny.—Thomas Holman was charged with stealing a pipe, value 355, the property of Edward Jewett. Mr Stringer appeared for the accused, who was out on bail. The prosecutor stated he was a barman at his brother-in-law's hotel, the "Junction," in the Whateley road. The prisoner had frequented the bar for the last fourteen months. About the first of last November witness left the pipe produced on a shelf behind the counter ; the shelf was accessible from the front of the bar. Missed the pipe about twelve days afterwards, and gave information of the loss to the police. Never spoke to the accused about the loss of the pipe, and could not swear accused was present at any conversations he had had about the missing pipe. On the evening of the 25th instant the accused was in the hotel, and in the course of conversation the prisoner said he knew where the pipe was, and would bring it the next morning. Witness said he would give £2 if the pipe was returned. The prisoner said he knew where the pipe was before witness offered the reward. Prisoner said he would bring the pipe, but would not take any reward for it. He said he had picked it up in the yard of the hotel. He did not bring it. Next time witness saw the pipe it was in the hands of Detective Benjamin. Detective Benjamin deposed that he went to the prisoner's house in the Whateley Boad at half-past 12 p.m. the previous day. The prisoner, who was in bed, got up and answered the door. Witness said, "Hand over that pipe you have of Jewett's, the barman." Prisoner was evidently recovering from drink. Witness said, " The sgaieter you give it up the better it will be for yourself." Accused went and took the pipe from his bedroom and gave it to witness. He said he had found it in the yard of the hotel, and had put it in his box, and had forgotten it. He knew it was Jewett's, but had kept it to keep him in suspense, and had promised to return it that day, and meant to do so. Witness then arrested him and charged him with stealing the pipe. This was the case for the prosecution. The prosecutor, re-called by the Bench, said he did not drop the pipe in the yard himself. His master, Mr Stennisg, might have borrowed the pipe off the shelf and dropped it subsequently. Mr Stringer submitted that the case was a trumpery one, and ought never to have been brought into the Court. There was no evidence at all to show that the accused's story of his finding the pipe was a fabrication. The Bench, after considering the evidence, had no doubt that the accused had taken the pipe, but scarcely thought there had been a felonious intent on his part, and it had been shown that he had intended, by his own admission, to return it. On the whole, they would give the accused the benefit of the doubt, and dismiss the case. LYTTELTON. Fbiday, Fbbbtjaby 27. [Before Joseph Beswick, Es.}., B.M.J FrjBiOTJB Dbiving. John Beazley and William Norton were riding furiously along Oxford street last Sunday morning, which they alleged was accidental, their horses having bolted. The Bench accepted the explanation, and discharged them with a caution. ._ CrviL Cases. Garforth and Lee vH. Williams, £3 17s 6i ; judgment by default. T. Wright v Gallahan, claim, £2 12s 6d; judgment for plaintiff, defendant to pay 5s per week. Same v Lawson, claim, £1 Is; adjourned for a fortnight. Baxter v Blake, claim' £1 2s ; judgment for plaintiff.