RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4585, 30 November 1875, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Monday, November 29. (Before J. C. Crawford, Esq., E.M.) A YOUNG THIEF, Bouisa Mary McCorkindale or Griffiths (a girl under fourteen years of age) was charged with having stolen a ring from Peter Gunderson, a jeweller. ' Defendant said that a girl named Kate Paton took the ring, and gve it to her. Peter Gunderson said he had left his shop in Willis-atreet on the day in question, leaving a diamond ring on his bench. During his absence his daughter (a child) was in the shop, and from her he learned that defendant had been in the shop asking to see him. He missed the ring. Next morning the girl came back, and he accused her of stealing the ring. Sho denied it, but stated that she had sent another girl there on the night previous* He asked her to point out the girl’s residence, and. they went out, but on arriving at the corner of the street she refused to go further,

stating that she did not know where the girl lived, but promising to find out and let him know. At this witness, whose suspicions were confirmed by defendant’s conduct, gave her in charge, and they went back to the shop. As they Vent out again, however, defendant left them for a moment, and came back with the ring. In answer to his Worship, the defendant stated that a girl named Paton had stolen the and given it to her, and as it had been found in her possession it was said she had stolen it. The child seemed to feel her position very much, and cried bitterly during the trial. Sergeant Monaghan informed the Court that defendant’s statement must he received with doubt, as she had made a statement to him of an untruthful kind. His Worship said such cases were difficult to deal with, and he would therefore defer giving judgment until he had considered what had best be done with the child. BIIEACH OP THE PEACE. Ezra Jones and Thos. Mulligan were charged with having committed a breach of the peace, by fighting in a public street. The case was proved, hut defendants did not appear to be convinced of their error. One stated that they were just keeping themselves warm, the night being cold. Both were fined 10s. and costs ; or, in default, forty-eight hours’ imprisonment. CIVIL SIDE. There were a few civil cases on the list, but they were nearly all settled. In one case— McGlaughlan v. Archibald—Messrs. Quick and Buckley appeared. The case was adjourned by consent for further evidence, the plaintiff to pay costs of witnesses in attendance. The Court then adjourned.