RESIDENT MAGISTRATES COURT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 871, 30 January 1879, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATES COURT.

THIS DAY. (Before T. W. Esq., R.M.) IAKCE3ST. Patrick Greenway was charged with having, on the, 29th January, stolen a silver chain valued at los, from the. shop of T. Sellarj Thames-street.

The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Inspector Thompson prosecuted. Alexander Buick, in the employ of Mr. Sellar, deposed : I saw the accused in the shop after 9 o'clock. He asked to see some watches. I showed him some, and he took one at L2. I gave him an American chain in with it. As he left the shop he was taken in charge by a policeman. To Inspector Thompson: I- recognise this chain. I did Sot Sal it -ta-thp accused • It is worth 15s. My attention was withdrawn from the accused, while writing a guarantee and getting a key for the watch. By prisoner : You wanted the chain for 10s., and afterwards the watch and chain for L2.

Charles Kearns deposed : I was in Mr. Sellars' shop last night, about half-past 9 o'clock. I saw the accused there. I saw the boy Buick show the accused some watches, one of which prisoner afterwards bought. He also looked at some chains, and he asked me to look at one of them. While doing so he put his hand behind his back, and I heard what I took to be the rattle of the chain falling into his pocket. I then went out and informed the police of what had taken place. Constable Cameron (sworn) : In consequence of information received, I arrested the accused last night. On searching him I found a Geneva watch and a chain ; also the guard now produced. I took the guard to Mr. Sellar's shop, showed it to the boy, and asked him if lie had sold it. The prisoner stated that he had been drinking during the day, and that he had no intention of stealing the chain. Ho expected that it would have been charged for.

His Worship said that the prisoner was like a good many others —he wished to make an excuse of the act of drunkenness. His Worship ordered the prisoner to be imprisoned, with hard labour, for six weeks. ANOTHER CASE. Bertha M'Gaflm was charged with having stolen a black and white shawl, sheets and pillow-slip, valued at 25s , the property of Robert Keenan. Mr. Balmer appeared for the accused. The Magistrate adjourned the case till Monday, the 3rd February, accepting bail from the accused in her own recognizance of LlO.