MAGISTERIAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2154, 14 February 1880, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

TIMARU—THIS DAY. [Before 11. Bcetham, Esq., R.jVT.] IXDKCKX'T ASSAULT. William Tate, a journeyman baker, who, it appeared, lias only been in Timarn about a month, was charged on remand with indecently assaulting two little girls aged nine years and seven and a hall: respectively. The case was heard at some length, but much of the evidence is unlit for publication. The outline of the ease is as follows : On the afternoon of Feb. 10 Detective Kirby was down by the landing service, and saw the accused with several little girls close to the boat-shod. Presently saw accused carrying one of the girls on his back, and also commit the offence with which he was charged, saw accused afterwards sitting for some 20 minutes in the boat with the girls. Subseqeutly from what he saw he arrested him on the present charge. Accused said he had done no harm.

John Thomas, a carpenter employed at the Lauding Service sheds recollected seeing accused on the afternoon of the 10th near the Landing Service. He ■was sitting on a boat lying close to the shod. There were a lot of girls there. Presently saw accused seat the elder girl on the gunwale of another boat. From what he subsequently saw he reported the matter to Mr Graham, of the Government Lauding Service. The} r were then joined by Detective Kirby and the three watched the accused who was now in the boat shed with the girls. Samuel Graham of the Government Landing Service corroborated the evidence of the last witness.

The elder of the little girls was then examined. The medical evidence of Dr 11. B. Hogg was then taken. Mr Iteid appeared some time after the proceedings had commenced, and intimated that he was there on hcliali: of the accused. He then read the depositions, and put several questions to Dr Hogg. The accused, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial. In reply to Mr Heid, his "Worship said he would accept bail for the accused’s appearance —himself in £IOO, and two sureties of £SO each. The bail was not forthcoming. duuxkkxxkss. John McCoon was charged with this offence, and also with indecently exposing his person. Mr Jones, stationmaster, deposed to seeing accused yesterday afternoon at the llailway Station. He was very drunk and his person was exposed. It was disgraceful. Several ladies were on the platform at the time. His Worship remarked that the ac cused was probably so drunk that he did not know what he was about. There was no excuse, of course, for the way in which lie had acted, but the second offence with which he was charged would have been much more serious but for his condition. He would be fined 40s, or 48 hours imprisonment. Had he not being drunk when arrested, he would not have been so leniently dealt with for the second offence.