RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4781, 19 July 1876, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Tuesday, July 18. (Before J. 0. Crawford, Esq., R.M.) DRUNKENNESS. Mary Ann Brown, charged with the above offence, was fined ss. and costs, or the usual alternative. • William Duckham, for having been drunk and refusing duty on board the steamer Stormbird, was remanded till Saturday, in order that the vessel .might return to port and evidence be obtained. LARCENY. John Burns, charged with stealing a watch from John Saunders, was brought up on remand. Inspector Atcheson called John Shaw, a miner, who said he was in Lusty’s boardinghouse with the prisoner and Saunders on Saturday evening. They went from there to the European Hotel, and afterwards returned to Lusty’s ; some of Saunders’ mates joined them, and in course of conversation they spoke about a watch which he had taken to town for repairs ; Saunders said he had it, but found he had not; witness then said to the prisoner, “ There has only been you and I in his company ; one of us must have it.” Witness proposed to be searched, and turned out his pockets. Prisoner refused to allow himself to be searched, but after he was threatened with a “thumping” he gave the watch up to Lusty: the prisoner was apparently sober. The prisoner excused himself on the ground that he had had the watch placed in his hands to take to the best watchmaker, for the purpose of having it repaired, but before he had time to execute his mission he was arrested, and at once gave up the watch. Inspector Atcheson informed the Court that the prisoner had been sentenced in 1875 to six months’ imprisonment for larceny. The Court held that prisoner’s statement was inconsistent with the evidence, and he was sentenced to six calendar months’ imprisonment, with hard labor. BREACHES OP THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS ACT. Several cases of breaches of the Municipal Corporations Act were withdrawn. This being all the business the Court then adjourned.