RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Kumara Times, Issue 1377, 1 March 1881, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Saturday, February 26. [Before E. Barff and J. O'Hagan, Esqrs., J.Ps.] CHARGE OP LARCENY. Bridget Cute was charged with the larceny of one boiler of the value of ss, the property of one Annie Smith. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Annie Smith, sworn, deposed : On the 15th of January, I had a boiler on my premises, and when I came home I missed it. I was a month away from home. [Sergeant Em merson here informed the Bench that the witness was undergoing a month's imprisonment at the time she mentioned as being away.] Through a man named Chambers speaking of the maul and wedges, I thought the prisoner might have my boiler also. I identify the boiler produced as my property. I know it by two copper or brass rivets in the lid. It was Sergeant Emmerson that sent for me to look at the hoiler. The value of the boiler is five shillings. I never lent the prisoner the boiler at any time. To the Bench : If I took anything from the prisoner's place I should have told her first. We were always good friends. Sergeant Emmerson, sworn, deposed : Yesterday I visited the prisoner's house, in Seddon street, on the information of a person named Thomas Chambers. I had a warrant for her arrest, Clumbers was with me, and in going through her house he said " I know who that boiler belongs to; it is Airs Smith's." I asked the prisoner whose boiler it was ; she said it was her property. I sent for Mrs Smith, who, after examining the boiler, said it was her property. I arrested the prisoner. To the Bench: The police had always looked on the house as a brothel, or it may be called a low shanty. The prisoner has been before the Court once before, on a charge of larceny, but the case was dismissed. The case, as previously reported in our columns, was dismissed, under the 82ud section of the " Justices of the Peace Act."