RESIDENT MAGISTRATES COURT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1277, 11 May 1880, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATES COURT.

THIS DAY. (Before T. W. Parker, Esq., R.M.) LARCENY. James Black, Hugh M'Cullough, Alexander M'Cullough, and Richard Wray, fpur small bays, -syere charged wjth having, at Qamaru, oil the 20th April, stolen from a stable in Wharf-street two bridles, one martingale, two girths, twp cart chains, a large carriage bit, other articles of the yalup of L 5, the property of Messrs. Ijintott and Otterson. The lads pleaded guilty.

Evidence was given by Charles Fulton, groom to Mr. Otterson, showing that on the day in question be left the door of the stable open, and on his return at about five o'clock he missed the articles enumerated The property wag identified, and tl'ie gro.oiq stated that he had received certain of the articles from Mrs, Blapk, the n*oth§r of one of the prisoners,

A lad named Stewart gave evidence to having seen the prisoner Black go to some gorse on the Cape and take out a martingale and a girth. Witness bought the articles for Is. He toqlf them hqme and sho\ye4 them tq his who, took them to Mrs. Black.

John M'Kenzie, another lad, gave evidence |o the effect that he had bought a bridle from the prisoner, Hugh M'Oullough, for a knife. He took it home and his father told him to take it back.

Detective Livingstone stated that hg arrested the prisoners qn sjie change. He went to the houses of the prisoner Wray abqut five o'clock last evening and received' a bridle from Wray, who said that, with the boys Hugh M'Collough, Alex. M'Collough, and James Black, he went into Mr. Otterson's stable to look for pigeons. They saw the bridles hanging up and took them to the Cape to ride horses with. He another bridle from the xqqther of the last witness. Mr. Ottersoh said Jie did not wish to press : the charge against the boy Wray, the smallest pf the quartette, He did not believe he wa s so pulpable ag the others, and has simply been made a tool qf. The boys M-Cullough vpere a pest to the neighborhood, many artioles being stolon, " -

Mrs. Wray stated that the boy was 11 years of age. ffis Worship said the boy was older than he thought, but in deferencg tp the wislj of Mr. he would dismiss the charge against the boy Wray. With regard to the others, he would take a little time to consider what course to take. At the same time he wished to reinark that the lads were led into - their po,si 7 tion through tfye neglept of their parents, j Some people appeared to get children and'

then turn them- adrift like a; lot of kittensj without, any care as to what be* came of them.

drunkenness. James Johnston was charged _ with haying been drunk and disorderly in tho public streets. On being asked what he had to say, he replied, "I was drunk," and was fined 20s, with the alternative of three days' imprisonment. OBSTRUCTING- THE POLIO B. Thomas Worth pleaded guilty to having obstructed Constable Cleary in the execution of his duty. The constable stated that after he had arrested James Johnston for drunkenness, accused came up and attempted to rescue him. His Worship inflicted a fine of 40s, with the alternative of seven days' imprisonment. ALLEGED LARCENY. William Rayner, ginger beer and cordial manufacturer, was charged for that he did, at Oa.maru, within the last four months, steal, take, and unlawfully carry away 10 dozen of Stormer and Baker s patent leriionade bottles, of the value of L 3, the property of Daniel M'Carthy. Mr. Newton appeared to prosecute, and Mr. O'Meagher was for the defence. Mr. Newton applied for a remand, stating that the information had only been laid and the accused arrested yesterday. There had not been time to prepare evidence in full; but if his Worship wished, some evidence might be given. The accused was out upon bail on his own recognizance, and he had no objection to his again being released upon his own recognizance. Mr. O'Meagher said he had no objection to the remand. The charge was not a very serious one, and the accused might be released on his own recognizance. His Worship granted a remand until Monday next, the accused being admitted to bail on his own recognizance.