RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COUBT.

Southland Times, Issue 1544, 1 March 1872, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COUBT.

. ♦ (Before H, M'Ctjiloch, Esq., 8.M.) Monday, Fjebbttakt 26th. wholesale bobbbby. John Christie, arraigned under the alias of Montgomerie, and whose escapades have been the subject of recent notice, was brought up charged (Ist) with the theft of a saddle and bridle, the property of John Anderson, a carpenter residing at Longford ; (2nd) the theft of a sum of money amounting to £13, together with a horse, saddle, and bridle, valued at £15, the property ot W. Board man ; and (3rd) a chestnut mar*, valued at £25, the property of F. Polling. The first evidence adduced was that of the complainant Anderson, who deposed that at the request of prisoner, he went and assisted him to reload a dray then in his (prisoner's) charge, and which had been accidentally capsized. In doing so he" turned out his horse without taking off the saddle or bridle. It went atnissing, and, on being found a day or two afterwards, the »addle and bridle were gone. These now produced he identified as the missing articles, which he valued at £4. Robt. Stewart, hotel-keeper, East Road, proved that the saddle and bridle had been left in hit care by prisoner, who represented them at be* longing to himself. The charge was found proven, and the prisoner sentenced to cix months' imprisonment, with hard labor. The evidence adduced in support of the second charge was that of the prosecutor Boardman, who stated that he was a bushman, living at Bur wood. On Saturday the 3rd ultimo, he arrived at Win ton on his road to Invercargill, and put up for the night in the Caledonian Hotel. During .the evening, he got into company with prisoner, and a considerable quantity of drink was consumed by them. Next morning they left together for Invercargill. After proceeding • few miles, witness fell from his horse, and being badly overcome with liquor, he lny down and fell asleep. On awaking he found his hone gone, and that he had been robbed of his money. W. Hewett deposed that he had made the acquaintance of the accused some time ago, while the latter was employed driving bullocks between Tapanui and Invercargill. On the Friday previous to the theft, prisoner came to the Caledonian Hotel, Winton, whore witness resided. The following day, prisoner told him that he was short of money, and asked him to advance a sum to pay his hotel bill. The request waa complied with. Later in the day, Boardman arrived at the hotel, and prisoner and he were drinking together during the evening. From what transpired, witness concluded that prisoner designed to rob prosecutor, and he communicated his suspicions to the landlord, as also to Boardman himself. This communication resulted in a mate of Boardman't taking possession of his pocket-book and money. The following (Sunday) morning, prisoner applied to witness for the loan of half-a-crown, telling him that he wanted it to make Boardman drunk, and thereby get the chance of relieving him of his cash. Witness refused to lend him the money, and communicated the circumstance to the landlord. He (witness) understood prosecutor and prisoner had left the hotel together. A few hours afterwards, prisoner returned and asked to see him. They had a conversation together, during which the prisoner showed him a parcel of notes, telling him that he had "tumbled Boardman and taken the money from him." Prisoner added — " There will be a bother about it ; will you keep the money until the row blows over ? " Witness refused to do so, and advised prisoner to go and return the money. He replied — " No, it is a mere nothing, I could stick up the bank, it I had just a pistol with me." Witness told the landlord what had occurred, and advised him to report the circumstance to the police. Later in the day Boardman returned,* and stated

- that he had been robbed. Bj this time Christie had disappeared. Information was then forwarded to the police. On this charge the prisoner was fully committed to take his trial. The evidence adduced in support of the third charge, was to the effect that on the evening of the robbery at Winton, prisoner called at Pelling's hotel, Wallacetown, and represented to the landlord that be was in a great hurry to reach Invercargill, and that he wanted a horse to take him the remainder of the road. He hired the chestnut mare in question on the distinct understanding that it was to be taken no further than Invercargill, and returned the following day. Nothing more was heard of it for a week, when it wa9 found by the police in a livery stable at Tapanui, where it had been left by prisoner, who hired another horse in its stead. A remand was granted for eight days, for production of the stable-keeper at Tapanui.

Wednesday, Febbttaby 28th. assault. James "Ford was charged on the information of Charles Quin with the above-named offence. Mr Harvey for complainant, and Mr Wade for defendant. It appeared by the evidence that at the close of the race-meeting on Friday last, the parties «nd their iriendi met at Wallacetown. After partaking of tome liquor, complainant and defendant left together for town. On the road an altercation arose, which resulted in the parties laying hold of each other. The Court found that the version of the affair given by complainant and his witnesses differed material]/, and dumissed the information. CIVIL CASH. Bagan t. Oowie. — Claim for £3 13a under a contract of hire for service! as an agricultural laborer. Mr -Wade for plaintiff. A portion of the claim was admitted, and paid into Court. After proof, the Court found the balance due, and gave judgment accordingly.