RESIDENT MAGISTRATES’ COURT, KUMARA.

Kumara Times, Issue 2060, 6 April 1883, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATES’ COURT, KUMARA.

♦ Friday, April 6. [Before J. Giles, Esq., R.M.] LARCENY. Catherine Hodges, remanded from the 4th instant, was charged by Constable Bennett with having, on or about 4th April, feloniously stolen and carried away from the scene of the late fire at Kumara, one lady’s cloak, two women’s dresses, and one child’s dress, the property of John Matson, of Kumara. Accused pleaded guilty, being very drunk at the time. Constable Bennett gave evidence as to finding the articles (which were produced in Court) in prisoner’s possession on the night of the fire. He also stated, on inquiry from the Bench, that several previous convictions had been recorded against the prisoner, for drunkenness and vagrancy. His Worship said that although accused might be drunk at the time, a person who takes another person’s clothes could scarcely do it without knowing. The sentence would be one raonths’s imprisonment in Hokitika Gaol, with hard labour. INCITEMENT. James Harrold pleaded guilty to inciting Catherine Hodges to resist the police in the execution of their duty. He had a drink or two before entering Hodges’ house. Constable Bennett stated that when he entered the house, the prisoner Hodges cried out to Harrold : “ Be a man at once now, and for ever !” The prisoner Harrold persisted in inciting the woman Hodges to resist himself and Constable Hannan. His Worship stated that although inciting by word of mouth was punishable, yet, as no violence was used, and prisoner had already been incarcerated, he would dismiss him with a caution. CIVIL CASES. Griffiths v. Gibson.—No appearance of either party ; case struck out. L. J. Spyer v. Donnelly.—No appearance of plaintiff; case struck out.