RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4132, 18 June 1874, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Wednesday, June 17. (Before O. 0. Graham, Esq., J.P., and J. G. Holdsworth, Esq., J.P.) Larceny. —John Weeks was charged with stealing from the ship Wennington, on the O’tli June, a silver watch, a gold Albert chain, and a breast-pin, of the value of £1 10s., theproperty of Thomas Hynes, Prisoner, who was undefended, pleaded guilty. The prosecutor deposed that he was chief steward of the ship Wennington. During the voyage out the prisoner was second steward, and they occupied the same cabin. On Saturday week he had occasion to go to his box, and saw the watch, chain, and pin iu the box. The prisoner was on board at this time. Went to the box again the same evening about seven o'clock and missed the watch, chain, breast-pin, and a purse. The prisoner had left the ship, saying he was going to the opera. The articles produced witness recognised to be his. He had the key of the box in his possession. Constable Hargood, stationed at Featheraton, deposed that on Monday last he proceeded to Otaraia station, and found the prisoner in the scullery. Charged him with the robbery, and he denied the charge. Arrested him and made a search in his bedroom, where the watch, pin, and purse were found, prisoner being present at the time. He afterwards admitted that the watch, chain, and pin belonged to the darkey steward on board the Wennington. In answer to a question from the Bench, prisoner admitted that the articles belonged to Hynes, and stated that he took them out of a spirit of revenge, Hynes having declined to share with him (prisoner) £l, which the captain gave him. The Bench sentenced the prisoner to six months’ imprisonment with hard labor.