RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4379, 2 April 1875, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Thursday, Athil 1. (Before J. C. Crawford, Esq., E.M.) ASSAULT. The charge of assault preferred by G-. Freeman against Henry Swan, third mate of the Dallam Tower, was dismissed through the non-appearance of the complainant. BREACH OP CORPORATION ACT. John Collins, charged with allowing five cows to wander, was fined 255. and costa. STEALING A HANDKERCHIEF. George Joseph was charged with stealing a handkerchief, the property of Sarah Hebley, which, possibly, “an Egyptian did to her mother give.” The parties erstwhile, were lovers, and it appeared that, inter aba,-Joseph had stolen Sarah's heart. The case was very amusing, but as there had been no felonious intent the charge was dismissed. , DRUNK AND DAMAGING PROPERTY. Don Cushman, a gentleman of American descent, was charged: with being drunk and disorderly and damaging property. It appeared that the Don had just come down from the Wairarapa, and : called in at a restaurant, where he very unceremoniously flung a tumbler at a spittoon, and otherwise asserted his importance. The Bench lowered his dignity by a fine of 10s., and ordered him to pay the dafiiage, Is. 6d. BURGLARY’. Robert Harford and James Taylor were 'charged with burglariously entering the store of D. Anderson, jun., on the 2Sth March. Prosecutor having deposed to the description and value of the property stolen, viz., 2701b5. of tobacco and some boots,

Sergeant Price stated that from information received he proceeded to prisoners’ lodgings in the Tinakori-road, the locality being Clelaud’s lodgings. Taylor was asleep upstairs, or appeared to be asleep, and when witness began to lift the trunks ho asked what witness wanted. There . were two trunks, both of which he said belonged to Harford. Left a constable in charge, and went to where Harford was at work. Brought him to the house in Tinakori-road, and in his presence opened a box with Iris name upon it, which was found to be full of uegrohead tobacco. The other box, belonging to Taylor, was also opened, and it also was full of tobacco. Both prisoners were then arrested, and in a subsequent conversation Taylor said to Harford, “We have got ourselves into a pretty scrape, and all through drink. Well, it is no use to mind matters. We have done it, and it cannot be helped now.” Afterwards went back and searched the premises again, when two pairs of boots were found in Taylor’s hag. Also found two chisels which corresponded .with the marks made in Mr. Anderson’s premises. Prisoner Harford, he believed, was a coach-body-maker, and Taylor a carpenter. Harford, in answer to the charge, said that he had been drinking all day on Saturday, and was returning home <ibout half-past twelve at night with Taylor, when they heard a bustle at Anderson’s store. They went to the corner and saw some tobacco, boots, and chisels. When they got home they consulted about the matter, and determined to go back and take them home.

Taylor said that after being paid his wages by Mr. Sooular, he and five other shopmates adjourned to the Criterion Hotel, and •'each drank six glasses of ale. On the way home he called at the Provincial Hotel and had another glass of ale, and took a pint home with him. He felt very much the worse for drink, and lay down. Waking up about half-past four o’clock, he got up and went out with Harforc], ..vyith, ,the a .intention of going to the Odd-Peilows’ 'Hall,'“but instead of "doing so they.gpt drunk with soipe shipmates.- They knocked about 'the public-houses until twelve o’clock-, ami then -mode-for-riOTno. Going up Hawkestone-street,,: and nearly, at the top, on the.right.hand side,-theyjieard.some rustling in the hedge, 1 and when they-came near to the spot they found the tobacco, boots, and chisels. Asked Harford what he thought of the matter, and; the. latter said ; “Dpn’t touch it; let’s go round- the comer .and see if there’s anybody there.” They went, and had a conversation as to whether or not they should remove it, and Harford said : “ Let’s go into the house for a while, and return by-and-hye and-see whether the property is shifted or not.” Binding on their return that it was not shifted they took it home and put it in the box, as they did not wish the people they were living with to know anything about it. They knew nothing of Mr. Anderson’s store being robbed until Monday,, when they were, arrested. ■ ; The prisoners were, committed for trial.