RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5837, 13 December 1879, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Thursday, December 11. (Before Messrs, C. C. Graham, J. Moore, and J, Macarthy, J.P.’s.) THE false PRETENCES CASE. James Francis Thompson was brought up on remand, charged with having obtained goods and money by means of valueless cheques. The evidence for the prosecution had been heard on the previous occasion, and the defence was now entered into. Mr. Gordon Allan appeared for prisoner. Frederick Overend, steward of the a.s, Napier, trading to Blenheim, remembered seeing prisoner and Langstone together in September or November. They were in the cabin. Prisoner gave Langstone £5 to place in the- bank to his credit. He did not say what bank. Prisoner asked Langstone for a receipt. Langstone did not give a receipt, but wrote his address and gave it to prisoner, saying “ that will find me if you telegraph to me,” Koberfc Edmonds remembered having been on board the Napier on the occasion referred to. He corroborated the evidence of the previous witness. The prisoner’s statement was to the effect that Langstone had promised to pay the money into the bank for him. Mr. A. Young gave prisoner a good character. Mr. Allan, for the defence, contended that there was an absence of any intention to cheat in prisoner’s conduct, and the Bench, before they could convict, must be certain that there was felonious Intent, for that was the essence of the charge. The Bench intimated that they were not altogether satisfied with the evidence, but it was sufficient to raise a doubt in their minds with reference to prisoner’s guilt in respect of the second and third caiges. They were, however, unanimous of his guilt upon the first charge, and would therefore sentence him to three months’ imprisonment with hard labor upon the first charge, and dismiss the others.

JUDGMENT SUMMONS. Hawkin v. Larkin—Claim for £3 lie. 2d. Defendant ordered to pay 10s, per month, or go to gaol for a week. CIVIL CASES. In the following cases judgment was given for plaintiff : Greville v. Hilliary, £9 ; Hanson r. Cochrane, £6 Bs. 3d.; McCredie’s estate v. .Murphy, £9 1(K Id.; Same v. Bodmau, £1 ID.; Mitchell v. Winnie, £lO. A large number of cases for claims exceeding the amount of £2O were adjourned, they being over the jurisdiction of the Court. Friday, December 12. (Before Messrs. J. G. Holdsworth and J. S. Smith, J.P.’s) TOOTHFUL VAGRANCY. A boy named Francis Diiivier C r alg, who appeared to be about fifteen years of age, wag charged under the Vagrancy Act with having no lawful visible means of subsistence. It appeared from the statement of Superintendent James the boy had been turned out of doors by his father, and had been kindly taken in and sheltered for one night by Mr, J. R. Jones, Adelaide-road. He had been over three years in the training ship, but had been released at his mother’s request. Mr. Jones having given evidence, the case was remanded to Tuesday. HORSE STEALING. Toko Mace, a Maori lad, was charged with having stolen a horse, the property of Mr. Green, Wellington, and also a saddle and bridle, the property of Mr. Somerville. 'lhe evidence of Constable Connor having been taken as to the arrest of prisoner at Carterton, and the recovery of the stolen property, the case was remanded till Tuesday.