MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1904, 1 April 1880, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. TIIITESDAY, A PR IE 1. TBefore G. L. Mellish, E?q., R.M.] Dbttnk: and Disobdbblt.—Three drunkards were fined ss, ss, and 20s respectively. Beeach of thb Peach.—Daniel John Clifford was charged with committing a breach of the peace. The offence was admitted, and a fine of 10s imposed. Larceny by a Seevakt.—James Jones was charged with stealing the sum of £3 12s, the property of his employer, William Henry Messenger. Mr Neck appeared for the accused. The prosecutor, who had the refreshment bars at the Grand Stand at the Racecourse, stated that the prisoner had been employed by him as a barman. On the previous evening, from information he had received, he charged the prisoner with robbing him, and caused him to be searched, when the Bum of £3 12s in silver was found upon him. He then gave him into custody. Mr John Messenger, the father of the last witness, said that on the previous day he had charge of the bar for his son, who was the temporary licensee. Saw prisoner take up money from a shelf and put it into his pocket, it looked about 14j. Wi'ni;B was too busy to take immediate notice of what he saw. The money was lying by the bottles remote from the i ameer, which was used as a till to put tho takings in. Witness informed his son of what ho had seen, and the prisoner was subsequently given into custody. A. W. Hilliard deposed that the previous afternoon he saw the prisoner acting in the capacity cf barman in the Grand Stand bar on the Racecourse. He saw him in the saddling paddock, and he said he had been cleaned out at "under and over fakes " to his last shilling, but had afterwards won fifteen shillings. Witness afterwards saw him serving in the bar. Sergeant Hughes deposed to arresting the prisoner. He searched him and found the Bilvt-r produced, amounting to £3 12a, in his right hand trousers' pocket. When told of the charge, prisoner made no statement. For the defence, Mr Neck called Edward Harris, who stated that he was working for the prosecutor the previous day, in tho same capacity as the prisoner. He did not know anything of the prisoner. Had not been subpcpuaed as a witness. In fact, knew nothing whatever of the case. Did not sea prisoner abstract any money, but was not employed watching him. Any one who was dishonest would have tho opportunity of

taking money. Could have done so himself if he had wished to. That was all he knew about it. Mr Mellish said the facts looked black against the prisoner, but he was willing to adjourn the case if Mr Neck thought he could bring forward other witnesses who could speak in the prisoner's favor. Mr Messenger said he had been told by one or two gentlemen that they had seen the prisoner take money for drinks and that he had put the money into his own pocket. Mr subinspector O'Dennell said that that was the first time he had heard of it, and he should certainly ask for a remand. The prisoner was remanded until the next day, bail being allowed in two sureties of £25 each, and the prisoner in £SO.