MAGISTRATE'S COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1971, 18 June 1880, Page 2

MAGISTRATE'S COURTS.

LYTTELTON. Fbiday, Tunis IS. [Before J. Beswict, Esq., R.M., T. H. Potts, and D. H. Potts, Esqrs.,* J.P’s.] Larceny on tub Trevelyan. Henry Jennings, late steward of the Trevelyan, on e emand was cl argedwith stealing sundry articles belonging to the ship, and valued at 255. Mr Nalder appeared for the accused. Captain Roberts gave evidence as to the identity of the articles. The second steward of the shipalso identified the articles. Contable Cleary testified that ho considered a man under the influence of drink when he was unable to walk. The accused was not under the influence of drink when he was accused of stealing tho articles in question by Captain Roberts. He said to the captain then that it was all through drink. The captain identified the articles as ship’s property immediately ho saw them in prisoner’s box at the police station. Counsel addressed the Bench, urging that the charge was a trumped up one, brought through some animus of the captain, tho reason for which he did not know. Counsel also pointed out that the prisoner had already been imprisoned for nearly a week. The

Bench decided to enter up a conviction, the varnish and the pillow cases having been fully identified. Considering the imprisonment the prisoner had undergone, he would be sentenced to twenty-four hours’ imprisonment. Disorderly Conduct.—James Binstead for this offence was, at the suggestion of the Sergeant-major of the police, discharged with a reprimand the accused having expressed his regret at his conduct. Beglbctino his Family.—Bohert Park was charged with leaving his wife and children without adequate support, and with failing to provide for them. Mr Balder appeared for the complainant. Counsel put in a letter that had been received, from which it appeared that the defendant bad a wife and family now living in England. Ann Parks, wife of defendant, said they were married in December, 1878. He remained at heme four or five months after they were married, and then eft, coming home but seldom since, and had not since paid her anv money towards her support. She had eight children when defendant married her, and two since to him. Four of the children were under fourteen years of age. The defendant stated that he left because ho was obliged to leave, there being another man in the house. A man had been living with her for several years, when he (the defendant) married her. Case adjourned. Civil Business.—Hobday v Johnson, claim £1 9a 6J ; judgment confessed. MeQnilkcn v Murphy, claim £4 16a ; judgment by default. Wheatley v Eiob, claim £3 ; Mr Balder for plaintiff. The claim was for a fishing net, the defendant refusing to pay the claim, because he had purchased it at auction, the net having been sold in mistake among a deceased fisherman’s effects by order of the Public Trustee. Ha refused to give up the net to plaintiff, unless he was paid the auction price for it. The Bench said it was rather hard upon the defendant, but the ownership was clearly proved. Judgment would be that the net be given np without costs or damages.