MAGISTRATE'S COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1984, 3 July 1880, Page 2

MAGISTRATE'S COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH'. Saturday, July 3. [Before J. Ollivier, Esq,, J.P., and R. Westenra, Esq., J.P-] Drunkenness. —A first offender was fined 5s for drunkenness. Discharged.— James Neil, alias Louden, who had failed to obey an order of the Resident Magistrate, Dunedin, was discharged on advice of police received from Dunedin. Vagrancy. —Patrick Ryan was charged with having no lawful means of support. Detective Benjamin said prisoner was a notorious loafer, and only a few days ago had been ordered to leave the town; but he continued to associate with theives and other bad characters. The Bench —You have a very good character attached to your name, and the best thing is to allow her Majesty to keep : you for three months. You will be sent to i gaol for that period, I

A Dbgeadbd Ceeatuee. Margaret Stanton, a wretched-looking woman, m charged with drunkenness, and also with haring used obscene language in a public place. Accused, who was last before the ' Court a few days ago, said that since that time she had been looking for her husband. There was a host of previous convictions against him. The Court— You have been looking for your husband for the last three months, haven’t you. The Bench will take a merciful view of your case, in the hope of reform, and in order that your husband may know where to find you, they will send you to eaol for seven days. Stealing a Watch.—John Felts Bandy, a young man of respectable appearance, was charged with stealing a gold watch, the value of £l3, the property of Arthur Allan Everett. Mr Joyce appeared on behalf of accused. Arthur Allan Everett deposed—l am at present residing at the White Hart Hotel, and came out in the Norfolk, from the old country, last month. Accused also came out in the Norfolk. He came to the White Hart Hotel on the evening of the 23rd June and we had a glass of beer together. I became intoxicated. Before I got in that position I remember having a watch in my vest pocket. Accused went with me to my bedroom, and assisted me to undress. The watch produced is mine, and accused had no authority from me to take it. I got up at eight o’clock the next morning, and, on going to the bar for a drink, discovered that my watch was missing, and gave information to the police. I believe it is worth £lO or £ls. Prisoner, when in my bedroom, said he was sleeping in the next room but one to ms and would see me in the morning. On inquiry I learned that he was not living there. Cross-examined—l first became acquainted with accused on the Norfolk in April last. Wo were very friendly during the voyage, and at St. Vincent and Capetown, where the vessel put in, we went ashore and had drinks together. Sergeant Mason, of Lyttelton, staled that acting on information received he apprehended accused at Port on Friday morning last. When being searched he handed witness the gold watch, produced, and added, “ I reserve my defence.” He afterwards told Mr Buckley, a chemist at Pott, that ha was very hard up in Christchurch, that Everett owed him money at the Cape and accused said he would take the watch as security. He took it, and prosecutor did not remonstrate at his doing so. Witness cautioned him not to say anything that might criminate himself. This was the case for the prosecution. Mr Joyce, for the defence, submitted that the watch was not stolen but simply taken as a security for payment of a debt. The Bench had no alternative but to send the case to a jury. It was not for them to say whether or not there were sufficient circumstances to justify the absence of any felony. Accused reserved his defence, and was committed to take his trial at the next Criminal Sittings, bail being allowed in two sureties of £SO each and himself in £SO. Mr Joyce mentioned that the prosecutor would b«come a surety, but he did not think it advisable he should do so.