RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5714, 23 July 1879, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Tuesday, July 22. (Before Messrs. Pharazyn and Graham, J.P.’s.) DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. William Green for lying helplessly drunk en the pavement was discharged, as it was his first offence. Alexander Gumming was lined ss. and costs, or to be imprisoned for 24 hours. Mary Pngsley, who had been drunk and disorderly in the theatre, was fined 10s. and costs, or 43 hours. LARCENY from the person. David Salmon was charged with taking six sovereigns from Cornelius Murphy, on board the Southern Cross, on her voyage from Auckland. The case was remanded to Tuesday in order that the steward of the steamer might be called as a witness. MASTERS AND APPRENTICES ACT. A lad named Daniel Hyde was charged with breaking his apprenticeship to Mr. Augustus, hairdresser. Accused, through Mr. Ollivier, pleaded not guilty. Mr. Stafford, who appeared for Mr. Augustus, explained that a most important question of law arose in tha action as to the applicability of certain English statutes in New Zealand, and he should prefer to have the case heard by the R.M., if their Worships would grant an adjournment.— Mr. Ollivier said the Act laid it down that an apprentice could not be bound for more than five years, nor could he serve any time after the age of 19.—Mr. Stafford said that when making indentures a prevision might be inserted withholding them from the operation of the Act quoted. That provision had beeu inserted in this case.—Their Worships decided that the case should be postponed for Mr. Mansford to deal with. THEFT. James Price was charged with stealing a ham value 11s. from the shop of Patrick Scanlon, storekeeper, in Willis-street. F. Goldsmith, employed by Mr. Scanlon, deposed to seeing the prisoner steal the ham from the door of the shop. He had followed him, and saw him throw the ham in a vacant space between two shops. He then gave him in charge. Prisoner, who had been previously convicted of theft, was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment with hard labor. George Snooks was charged with stealing an overcoat, value 305., from the shop-door of Mr. Lowater.—Detective Sullivan deposed that through complaints the police had received he had made inquiries, and found the prisoner in the Albion Hotel, possessing a coat for which he could not give an account, and which he was offering for sale. He then arrested the prisoner, and .the coat was subsequently identified by Mr. Lowater as one he had missed. He had gone to the prisoner’s house in Polhill’s Gully and found a number of stolen articles there. The same prisoner was charged with stealing a pair of boots from the shop of Mr. Hannah.—Detective Sullivan deposed to finding the boots in the prisoner’s house. They had been brought to the station, and were identified by Mr. Hannah.—Mr. Hannah being called, deposed to the boots being hia property, but he could not swear whether they had been bought or stolen. Prisoner made a statement that with another man he had been living in a little house in Polhill’s Gully. His mate had brought home a third man who had stated that he had bought some coats cheap, and asked him (piisoner) to try and sell one of them. He had been brought into this trouble entirely by others. Had those who had got him into trouble been caught by the police they would stand in the dock instead of him. —Detective Sullivan deposed the prisoner had attempted to escape from custody, and associated with characters well known (o the police.—The Bench said there was not sufficient evidence to convict, and they must discharge the accused, who would perhaps assist the police in finding the guilty parties.—Prisoner said he had resolved to traverse the 'colony through to find the men who hp,d got him into trouble. —(The prisoner was detained in custody to answer a charge of stealing thirteen coats, which being an indictable offence was postponed for trial by the Resident Magistrate.) ASSAULT. William Johnston, a lad, who failed to appear, was charged with assaulting another lad in the employ of Mr. Wilson. Mr, Wilson said the accused was a larrikin, who had been in the habit of ill-using the prosecutor, a much smaller lad than himself. A warrant was ordered to be issued for the arrest of Johnston. John Courtney was charged with assaulting John Mahoney. Both men were carters in the employ of Mr. Saunders. Prosecutor deposed that on Saturday last there hadebeen a dispute about the use of a certain dray, when the prisoner had seized him by the throat and thrown him violently to the ground, injuring him greatly. There was a cross action, and the case was adjourned to Thursday, in order that both might be decided together. BREACHES OP BY-LAWS. Messrs. Murdoch and Rose were charged with failing to put a light on some building material at the new church in Willis-street. Mr. Murdoch said if they put lamps they were often stolen. He had fenced in the church to prevent it being stolen. Fined Is. and costs. James Petherick was charged with failing to put a light on an obstruction of some earth in Willis-street, and was fined ss. and costs.— Richard Benge, for leaving his butcher’s cart unattended, was fined 10s, and costs.'—Rose Corbett, a girl, for throwing rubbish and filth on the street in Sussed-square, was fined 6s. and costs. EMBEZZLEMENT. The case against Morton Quin, charged with embezzling funds, belonging to the Ancient Order of Foresters, was adjourned for a week.