POLICE COURT.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2231, 27 May 1881, Page 3

POLICE COURT.

CHRISTCHURCH. Fbidat, Mat 27. [Before J. Ollivier and B. Westenra, E-qrs., J.P.’s] Dhunkbhnesb.—Wm. Howeon, who, when arrested the night before, had been found wandering about the streets a lunatic from the effects of excessive drinking, was remanded till Monday next, Mary Brown, her thirteenth appearance on the charge of being drunk, was fined ss. A woman for a first offence was fined ss.

Lap.oknt as a Bailee.—George Thomas Hulston was brought up, on remand from May 23rd, and charged as above. Fred. Horsman, a carrier living in Phillipstown, deposed that, on May 7th, prisoner, who resided with him, obtained the loan of a horse, dray, and harness from witness. There was no time for the loan nor terms of payment mentioned. The dray had been hired by witness from a Mr Russell for the accommodation of prisoner, who said he was going to cart straw from Treleaven’s. The prisoner worked the dray, &0., some time, returning to the promises of witness every night, but, on the 21st, appeared to have made away with the lot. He did not return on that night. Saw the lot at the Rmcarton Hotel on the 22nd. Waller Lewis, son of the licensee of the Ricoarton Hotel, stated that on May 21st he saw prisoner at the hotel, about half-past eight in the morning. He had a dray, horse, and harness, which he offered for sale to witness. He wanted £3O at first for them, but afterwards agreed to take £ls, for which sum witness bought the lot. Cross-examined by prisoner—I “shook” you [with dice] whether the price should be £ls or £3O ; I was the winner and paid you the smaller price. [ln answer to the presiding Magistrate, who said these were extraordinary proceedings in a licensed honse, Mr Brobam, who conducted the prosecution, said he noted the last item of the evidence given by witness.] You were not drunk. Wm. Bussell, a general dealer, residing in Colombo road South, deposed to being the owner of the dray, which, on Horsman’s order, was delivered to prisoner. Constable O’Connor deposed that prisoner had been brought to the look-up on May 21st drunk. Next day witness charged him with the present offence. Prisoner then said he would not have sold it if he had not been drunk. Prisoner, who had nothing to soy, was committed for trial at the next sessions of the Supreme Court to bo held at Christchurch, The horse, dray, and harness were ordered to be given up to Mr Horsman. Alleged Thept.—Hugh Donelly was brought up on remand from the 23rd instant charged with stealing from the person of G. F. Hulston a cheque for £ls. Mr Izard appeared for the prisoner. Mr Broham said the police had got a quantity of evidence in this case, but on considering it he was of opinion that a conviction could not be obtained, and he would ask leave to withdraw from the prosecution. Mr Izard said this was rather a cool proceeding. After keeping the accused in a prison a week or so, the police now came up and said there was no case against him, and he might go. Mr Broham said if the Bench required he would produce evidence enough to show that there had been a strong case of suspicion against accused ; quite enough to justify the proceedings. The Bench said they did not see any use of going into the case if nothing was to come of it. Accused was then discharged.