RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1039, 19 August 1879, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

# THIS DA"¥. (Before G. Sumtter, and T. A. Clowes, Esqs., J.P's.) X,AUCENY. Ellen M'Gregor, alias Isabella Anderson, was then charged with having, at Duntroon, yesterday, stolen 4s id., belonging to one John Saunders. The fapts in this case were that the prisoner went to the Maerewhenua Stables, and shortly afterwards the money mentioned was missed, information was given to the police, and the prisoner being in custody on a previous charge, the constable asked her what money she had, She replied that she had none. Thereupon the constable searched a small bag she was carrying, and found 4s -gd. Prisoner was sent to the Dunedin Gaol for one month. John Brown, alias John Collins, was charged with having, between the 12th and 17th July, stolen certain articles of the value of L2 from a tent at Awamofeo. The evidence showed that the articles named, chiefly consisting of edibles, were left in the" tent; that they disn-ppeared, and that Constable Dawson a^erwards traced them to the prisoner, in whose possession they were found.—Accused was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment, with hard labor. (Before T. W. Patuter, Esq., R.M j. ' j DCC2SS AyD D'SOEDGft'-.Y. Ellen M/Gregor, alias Isabella Ander-1 son, was charged with having been drunk j and disorderly in Campbell-street, Dun- j tvoon, yesterday morning, and was fined : 20s, with the alternative of three day's imprisonment. S'.Y G'EIOG-S *3~. T ANG. Isabella Kenny was charged with having, on the 11th inst., sold four glasses of; beer to Robert Henry and Robert Dunbar, j contrary to the provisions of the Licens- | ing Ordinance, she not being licensed to | sell liquors. j Mr. O'Meagher appeared for the prosecution, and the accused was undefended, arid pleaded not guilty. The evidence of Robert Henry and Robert Dunbar was taken, and went to show that on the day named Henry saw the defendant standing at the door of her husband's house. After asking her some questions as to where a Mrs. Cottenhain was to be found, defendant asked him if he would "shout." Henry said he did not mind if there was a public house at

hand. Defendant replied, " I have some in the house." Eenry then introduced Dunbar, and they went into the house, where they saw Kenny. The defendant then brought out a bottle of beer and three glasses. The whole of them had some of the beer, and Henry gave Mrs. Kenny half-a-crown for it, and this sho put in her pocket. For the defence, the accused called her husband, Michael Kenny, who stated that on the evening in question he took homo six-pennyworth of beer. When Henry entered the house he asked defendant if she had anything to drink in the house. To this witness' wife replied that she had some that her husband brought home for their supper. At Witness' request defendant poured out the beer, and guvc Henry and Dun bar a glass each. After drinking the beer, Henry put half-a-crown on the table. Defendant said she did not take money for beer. The went away and left the half-crown on t t table. It was not taken up until tlie following morning, when witness took it himself. His Worship said that the establishment kept by the defendant was not a large one, and could not be compared with the extensive premises kept by other sly grog-sellers. There was no doubt that the defendant had endeavored to do as much as possible with the small means at her disposal, and had realised the largest amount of profit she could out of the expenditure of sixpence. There was 110 doubt that the beer had been sold, but, taking into consideration the circumstances of the case, lie would make the fine L 5, believing that that sum would have as much effect upon her as a heavier one would have on other offenders. Mr. O'Meagher said he would withdraw the case against Michael Kenny, charged with permitting the sale of the beer. Polly Sullivan was charged with having, on the Gih inst., sold five glasses of beer to Robert Dunbar, contrary to the Ordinance. Mi*. O'Meagher appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Newton for the defendant, who pleaded not guilt y. The evidence given for tlio prosecution by Dunbar and Henry went to show that at about a quarter past 11 o'clock on the night of the Gth inst., Dunbar in company with Henry went to the house of defendant. He had previously been to ! Jenny Paul's house, and was taken by her to defendant's. The defendant asked him to shout, and Dunbar said he would, aud asked her if she had any beer. Defendant replied that she had, and Dunbar told her to bring beers for the company. This was done, and those present, with the exception of Jenny Paul, drank the beer. Dunbar asked what the prico of the beer was, and defendant said ss. Dunbar gave her two half-crowns, which she put into her pocket. In cross-examination by Mr. Newton, Dunbar said he had been iuthe employ of the police about a month. He had been told that he would be remunerated if tlio cases came off well, and. it was to his interest to give such information as would 1 lead to a conviction. He had been in the police previously, aud was dismissed for taking " a little too much " one night. He would swear positively that he was in the defendant's house about a quarter past 11 o'clock 011 the night of the Gill instant. Henry was also severely cross-examined but nothing important was elicited. For the defeuce, Mr. New lon said that the two informers were liable to prosecution for aiding and abetting the sale of liquor, aud he would ask his Worship to dismiss the case 011 the ground of the evidence given for the Crown not being of a satisfactory nature. His Worship adjourned the case till Thursday morning, for the purpose of considering the point raised by Mr. Newton. Lucy Davis, alias Powell, was'charged with selling liquor, 011 the Gth inst., to Robert Henry, in her house known is Boyland's Boarding-house. x!W Mr. Newton appeared for the accusal; and pleaded not guilty. Robert Henry gave evidence to tlio effect that on the Gth August, at about half-past S o'clock, he, in company with Dunbar, visited the house of defendant, and they met there a person named Annie, and she asked witness if lie was going to shout. Defendant was present, and could hear everything that passed. On being asked to shout, witness said, " All right ; what will you have V' and tlireo glasses of brandy and two glasses of gin were brought in by a young man named Fred. Witness paid him two half-crowns for the drinks. Dunbar corroborated the evidence given by Henry. H. B. Farquhar, Collector qf Custom! at Oamaru, was called to prove that brandy was a distilled spirit. This case was also adjourned till Thursday, for the purjiose of getting evidence to prove that defendant was the pro' priotress of the house. The charges against Lawson and Sliai were adjourned til Thursday. charges against Alex. Gordon, of the Temperance Hotel, was also adjourned till Thursday.