MAGISTERIAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2467, 14 February 1881, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

TIMAHU—THIS DAY, (Before R. Beetham, Esq., R.M.) HOUSE WANDERING AT LARGE. diaries Patton for allowing his horse to wander at large, was lined os. A SHAM DETECTIVE. John Quinn was charged with obtaining money and goods by false pretences from John Joseph Daity, of the Masonic Hotel, St. Andrews. The accused pleaded “Guilty to part of.the charge, but not guilty other-

wise.” Being told by his Worship that he must plead one way or the other, he commenced to make a statement, but was stopped. John Joseph Daily deposed to the accused visiting his house on Friday last and representing himself to be a detective officer who was tracking a man supposed to be in the neighborhood. Accused subsequently gave witness a cheque for £3 on the Union Bank, Dunedin, which was returned as valueless.

"By accused—l gaveyou a cheque to fill in winch you did without the slightest hesitation. Don’t know how much money you had when you came, but you were spending money like other men.

Detective Kirby stated that he had known the accused for the last twelve months. He was a ploughman and agricultural laborer, but had never been employed in the detective force. The accused pleaded that his conduct was merely the result of a drunken spree. ■

His Worship said that the offence was too serious to be overlooked, and that drunkenness was no excuse. He would be sentenced to 3 mouths’ imprisonment with hard labor. The Court then adjourned.