COURTS

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 270, 20 August 1872, Page 3

COURTS

POLICE COURT.— Yesterday. [Before \7. Fraser, Esq., R.M.] Samuel Ensor, William Carey, Robert Wilson, and James Goad were dealt with in the usual manner for being drunk. OBSCENE LANGUAGE. James Goad was charged with making use of obscene language in Queen-street, Grahamstown, at half-past 9 o’clock on Sunday evening. The accused pleaded guilty, and was fined 40s and costs, with the alternative of 3 days’ imprisonment in case of nonpayment. ROBBERY BY A MAORI. Kereopa was charged on the information of James Bennett, fisherman, Grahamstown, with stealing an oar, axe, palm needle, and twine, the whole of the value of 12s 6d, the property of the said James Bennett.

Mr G race acted as interpreter. Prosecutor slated that he knew the prisoner. On the night of the 12th inst. be ran his cutter aground near Holdship’s wharf, and prisoner and some more natives came in a boat to the same place. The articles above enumerated were placed in the bottom of the boat, and were there when witness and bis sou left the boat for the night. The aXe now produced is the same that was there in the boat. On goiug to the cutter next morning, iie found that all the tilings had been overhauled, and those enumerated stolen, witness afterwards saw prisoner’s boat the Hekeuc -in the bhorilaud creek, and on looking into her sasv the axe now iu Court. Witness left his son in charge, ami gave information to the police. James Bennett, son of last witness, corroborated his father’s testimony. John Andrews stated that on Saturday night, lie was requested to interpret for the prisoner when he was cliarged with the offence. Prisoner said he had the axe, but bad not taken it with any intention of stealing it. He denied having been with his boat at Holdship’s wharf.

Constable Furlong depos d to arresting the prisoner iu eonsequ-uce of information received from Mr Bennett. Prisoner being asked what he Jiad to say in answer to the charge, denied the robbery, and said he would call a witness to prove how the axe came into his possession. He took the axe to chop some wood to make a fire with, as it was cold, and he knew Mr Bennett, and thought he might take the liberty of borrowing the axe. Tho other things he did not take. The witness prisoner proposed to call was not examined. The R.M. said under the circumstances lie would deal with tho case under the 103rd section of tho R.M. Act. There could be no doubt prisoner stole the axa valued at 2s Gd, and he must pay four times the value of that article forthwith or find security for the amount during the day, otherwise sentence would bo passed upon him. The penalty was immediately paid, and prisoner was discharged.