MAGISTRATES' COURT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 57, 7 March 1878, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURT.

[Before H. E. Cubtis aud J. Symohs, Esqs. , J.J.P.] Lakcent as a Bailee. Henry Brooks was charged that on the. Ist of March he being the bailee of & certain horse value £20, and saddle and bridle value £2 10s, the property of Isaac Harvey, of Wakapuaka, did fraudulently convert the same to his own use. Mr Bunny appeared for the prisoner. Isaac Harvey stated that prisoner was employed on his farm, and about the end of February said that his father was dying of inflammation of the lungs at 88 Valley, so he lent him a three year old colt to go there. ! He returned a few days later with the colt, ; and said that he had some cattle at Wakefleld, which he would exchange for the horse. Prisoner was then lent the horse again to fetch the cattle down. He^rode away, but did not deliver either the cattle or the horse. On the 2nd of March Harvey received a letter from prisoner, stating that he had sold the horse for £15. He never authorised the prisoner to sell the horse. Cross-examined: I expected prisoner back the day after he left. Prisoner was to have | the horse if he brought the cattle. I distinctly swear that I never authorised him to sell the horse, saddle, and bridle for £13, or I the horse alone for £16. John Webby •. lam a farmer residing in Quail Valley. On the 28th of February j prisoner rode up to my house in the evening, and offered to sell the horse ht was riding for £16. I offered him £15 10a for horse, saddle, and bridle. He declined to take less than £16. He said he got the horse from I Isaac Harvey, and had split 1500 of fencing , for it. On the Ist of March I saw prisoner I again iu 88 Valley, and bought th« horse for £16, including saddle and bridle. I said to him, " Now does the horse really belong to you Harry, as I don't want to have any bother about it." He said it wai all right, and I need not be frightened. I paid him £5, and took his receipt for the money. I told him I would give him the balance in a week or so. I was somewhat suspicious, and did not like to pay the whole amount. When riding with prisoner in 88 Valley, he pointed out a man who was digging a ditch, and said it was his father. I Cross-examined : On the Ist of March I ! told prisoner that I had not enough money to pay the whole amount, but I could get it down the road. He laid I nt«d not trouble, as he was in no hurry. William Turner -. I was in Harvey's employ at the same time as prisoner. I remember his saying something about having cattle up Wakefield way, for which h« had split some fencing, and that if Harvey would buy the cattle he would buy the colt, as he liked ' it very much. On the 27th of February prisoner started away on the colt, which is the same I saw in the police stnble this morning. I should say the horse was worth j £20, aud the saddle aud bridle £2 10s. Prisoner, being warned in the usual manner, reserrcd his defence. He was then committed for trial at the next sittings of the District Court. ]3ail was allowed, the prisoner in £100, and two sureties in £100 each. Indecent Assault. F. B. Joseph was charged with indecently assaulting Agnes DobWe, aged 12* years, in November lnst. Mr Bunny appeared for the prisoner. The case, which had not terminated when we went to press, was heard with closed doors. The line of defence adopted is, we uudcrstand, that the girl was a consenting party.