MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2045, 13 September 1880, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH, Monday, September 13. [Before G. L. Hellish, Esq., R.M., and G. F. Howlings, Esq., J.P.] Drunkenness. —For this offence Thomas Pardon was fined 20a, and two other men for first offences of the same kind were fined 5s each. Vagrancy.—James Sullivan was brought up under the Vagrant Act as haying no visible means of support. The police said this was more a case of destitution than anything else. Prisoner had been at the Ashburton Old Men’s Home, but on some act of insubordination had been discharged. Mr Hellish directed Mr March to bo communicated with to see what could bo done in the matter, and adjourned the caso until ho had bean heard from.

Larceny. —F. C. Barrington was brought up on remand from Saturday last, charged with stealing wearing apparel valued, at £l4 15s, tho property of J. Toovey. Mr Stringer appeared for prisoner, J. W. Watts, barkeeper ut the Star and Garter, said, on the 10th September ho found the clothing produced behind tho door in a passage at the hotel. He planted himself in an adjoining room, and after a little while saw prisoner come along, push tho clothes further out of sight, and after walking about tho passage, go out of a side door. Witness and Mr Toovey followed, and charged him with having stolen the clothes, which were identified as the property of Mrs Toovey, taken from her bedroom. A policeman was then sent for and took prisoner in charge. Isabella Toovey enumerated the articles, they were male and female garments. She saw them in her bedroom half an hour before they were found behind the door. She asked prisoner if ho had taken the clothes. Ho said - “ They say so, I don’t know; Pm sorry.” Prisoner had the run of tho house, but had no right to go into any of the bedrooms. John Toovey corroborated the statements of previous witnesses, and said that when charged with taking the things, prisoner said “ Where ami?” as a drunken man would. He did seem out of bis usual form. Witness told prisoner to go away, as he did not wish to do anything in it. Prisoner then got into his own cart and went away. Cross-examined— Knew the prisoner for the last five years. His character was good. Witness had often lent him money. Prisoner belonged to a Friendly Society, and had often held positions of trust. Witness stated farther that he had no wish to press the charge. He had always, up to the present, had a sincere respect for prisoner, and believed that he did not know what he was doing when he committed the offence. Detective Neill deposed to arresting prisoner, who said nothing when told the charge. Mr Stringer said there had bean no evidence to show the actual “ taking and carrying away” from the prosecutor’s possession, which constitutes the offenca of larceny. Mr Mellish thought the evidence given by the barman was quite sufficient to make out a prima facie ease for the higher Court. Mr Stringer said in that case, of course he had nothing more to say at present. Prisoner was committed for trial at the next sitting of tho Supreme Court. Bail was allowed, himself in £l5O, and two sureties of £75 each. Larceny from: a Dweiring-house.—F. Haynes, hairdresser’s assistant, on remand from Saturday, now appeared, charged with having stolen from the shop of W. Brice certain hair, &3., to tho value of £39 2s 6i, W. Brice said prisoner had been employed by him as assistant for five months and resided on tho premises in Colombo street. In consequence of receiving an anonymous letter, which he showed to prisoner, he insisted on examining prisoner’s box; prisoner reluctantly consented. The box was opened, and found to contain a large number of articles taken from the stock in the shop belonging to witness. His person was afterwards searched, and more stolen goods belonging to witness, were found on him. Prisoner was then given in charge, and looked up. From what prisoner said, witness and Detective O’Connor then went to the shop of one Batchelor, in High street, and found more of his property there, and still more at Batchelor's private house. [A quantity of goods were produced, and identified. There wore ladies’ bags, walking sticks, false hair, scent bottles, albums, cutlery, &0., &c.] Prisoner admitted to witness stealing the articles. He had no proprietary interest in the stock or shop of witness. Edgar Gill, of Lyttelton, said prisoner had some luggage at his bouse, among which was the parcel produced. It was opened in witness’ house, and contained the articles claimed by Mr Brice. Detective O’Connor proved the arrest, and corroborated the previous evidence. When arrested, prisoner admitted taking the things. Prisoner had nothing to say, and was committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court. At this stage the Court adjourned for half an hour.

LYTTELTON. 1 Monday, Settembbb 13. [Before J. T. Rouse, Esq., J.P.] Dednkbnness. George Kennedy was drunk at the railway station on Sunday, for which impropriety he was fined 40s; and James Clews was fined 20s. Stoning a Pedlae.—W. A. Bailey and Joseph Gardiner threw stones at a pedlar, Archibald McKechan, damaging the contents of his basket of glassware. They were reprimanded, and ordered to pay the damage.