FOXTON.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 45, 24 March 1877, Page 3

FOXTON.

Friday', 16th March. (Before E. S...Thynne, Esq., J. P. and Dr. ( Kockst.ro, J.P.) IABCENY. Alexander Dewar was charged with having on the 9th of- March, stolen frOm the Government Store, one case of brandy of the value of £3. CohstableijPurcell said, that owing to the absence of the principal witness he must ask for a remand. He had tried every means to find the witness/who was a 1 stranger here,.bu,t was unable to do so. He had not applied for a subpoena as he did notknow where, to serve it. He could not prove . the without this witness. • v , ' ' Mr. Thynne, m discharging the prisoner, said it <was a fortunate escape for him not being able to find the witnsss. VAGRANCY. Alexander Dewar was then charged with vagrancy. '. Constable Pnrcell being sworn, said, — Previous to the 9th of March, he had paid particular attention to the habits of the prisoner, and for some time he had been m a state of drunkenness, and had not been at any, work. Prisoner - said he did not want to question the 1 constable. Peter Grib'soh on- oath, said, he was the wharfinger at .Foxton, and knew the prisoner; he had been working on the , wharf during the first part of the month for a few days, but had been discharged ' on account of his drunken habits. In answer to a question from the prisoner witness said that he had been working on the wharf previous to the week before last. - . -Prisoner stated that he had been laid up with sore fingers', but was working before they were bad, and he called on Mr Reeves to speak for him* Mr Reeves said prisoner had worked for him, and was a hard working man during the weeks he was m his employ, but he knew that for the last week or so he (prisoner) had been knocking about m a loose way. In: reply to the Bench, Constable Purcell said prisoner had been locked up since last Monday. Mr Thynne said, it appeared that his habits of late had /been idle and disapated, instead of doing his work, aad if he continued so, it would get him into worse trouble. , He should now discharge him, but he must be more careful m future.