RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5342, 11 May 1878, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

(Before J. C. Crawford, Esq., R.M.) Friday, Mat 10. DRUNKENNESS. George Brown pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in the public streets, and was fined 55., or twenty-four hours’ imprisonment.

David Findlay, a colored man, was charged by Captain W. Williams, owner of the barque Edwin Bassett, with stealing on Wednesday last one bag of sugar of the value of 30s. Mr. Ollivier appeared for the complainant, and Mr. Gordon Allan for the accused.

W. B. Williams deposed that he was the owner of the barque Edwin Bassett. Prisoner was on the ship’s articles as cook and 'steward. The vessel went to sea yesterday, and would probably not return before six weeks. Witness sent on board five bags of sugar as ship’s stores for the voyage. Tiie bag (produced) is similar to those put on board. Could not say how many voyages the prisoner had been in the ship. The stores have disappeared quicker during his stay on board. By Mr. Allan ; I ordered the sugar to be put on board. Never saw them on board. By his Worship ; I value the sugar at between 255. and 30s.

Peter True, boatman in the Harbor Department, deposed that he saw the prisoner on the night of the day in question. Prisoner was going up the wharf with a bag of sugar on his shoulder. The bag produced is similar to the one prisoner had. Prisoner said he had the hag of sugar from the Edwin Bassett. Witness told him to take it on hoard again. Prisoner did so, and then came on the wharf again, and told witness to say nothing about it. By Mr. Allan : Could not say if the bag produced was the same as the one prisoner had on his back on the night in question. Samuel Kent, a Custom House officer, corroborated the last witness’s evidence. Mr. Allan contended that there was no evidence to show that the bag in Court was the same as the prisoner had on the wharf, and asked hia Worship to dismiss the case. Hia Worship thought that a prinui facie case had been made out. Mr, Allan then asked for a remand for a week, which was granted. ALLEGED POISONING CASE. William O’Connor, on remand, was charged with attempting to poison William Light, lessee of Barrett’s Hotel. Mr. Buckley conducted the prosecution, and Mr. Gordon Allan defended the prisoner. The following additional evidence was taken : W. 0. Chatfield, architect, practising in Wellington, deposed that the plans produced were executed by him, and were a correct design of the ground floor of Barrett’s Hotel. John Price, sergeant of police, stationed at Wellington, deposed that he received a glass from Mr. Light on the morning of the 29th ult. It contained liquor of 'some description. Witness noticed a sediment at the bottom of the glass; he covered it over with a piece of old newspaper and took it into the police station. Shortly afterwards it was given in charge of Sergeant Smith. Sergeant Eraser, Constable Allison, and Mr. Baker were all present at this time. Witness arrested the prisoner shortly afterwards. John Ellison, constable and clerk in the Wellington police force, deposed that on the 29th of last month ho received from Sergeant Smith a glass containing liquor. There was a white sediment in the bottom of the glass, and something crusted on the side. He took the contents to Dr. Hector.

I'. 6. Smith, sergeant of police, stationed at Wellington, deposed that on Tuesday, JOth ult., he went to Mr. Light’s house and took a hearthrug away from the small parlor off the bar. Did not at that time notice anything on it; took it to the Inspector’s office and locked it up. He afterwards took it, as it was, to Dr. Hector, to examine it; noticed some small crystals on it, and drew Dr. Heetor’s attention to them. When Dr. Hector had completed his examination, witness took the rug back to the station, Mr. Buckley said that was the case, and he would ask for the prisoner to be committed. He might have some fresh evidence, but if so, he would acquaint Mr, Allan of the facts. Ho considered there was quite evidence enough to warrant the commitment of the prisoner. The prisoner was then committed to take his trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court. On the advice of Mr. Allan prisoner reserved his defence. Mr. Allan asked that bail’might be allowed. Ho thought perhaps that the prisoner might be able to procure bail out of Wellington, where ho was better known. His Worship said ho would require very substantial sureties, and allowed bail as follows : prisoner in bis own recognizance of £IOOO, and two sureties of £SOO each.