RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2093, 18 September 1875, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIS DAY. (Before Jackson Keddell, Esq., 8.M.) DKUNKENUESS. William Scott was charged with the offence of drunkenness. Pirapau, a native was similarly charged. Both defendants pleaded guilty, and were mulcted in the usual penalty. TAGBANT ANIMALS..' Eliza A. Polkinghorne was summoned foi* allowing two cows to wander at large in Grey street, Parawai. Defendant did not appear. Service of gummpns had been proved but she told the constable at the time that she would not appear. The offence was proved by Constable Stapleton and Mr Brown, poundkeeper. Fined 2s 6d, and costs 19s. Michael Maginn was charged with allowing one cow tp wander in Grey street, Parawai. Defendant pleaded guilty- it was the first time this year. Fined 3s 6d, and costs 9s. ' .' A TASTE FOB CHAMPAGNE , - Mary Brenuan was charged that she did on or about the 17th instant steal from the bar of the Thames Hotel one large bottle of champagne of the value of 10s, the property of ouc Frederick Tetley.

Defendant said the bottle was given to her—she didn't steal it. Mr Bullen stated the case and called—

Frederick Tetley, who deposed—That he was licensee of the Thames Hotel. Knew defendant. Had champagne on a shelf in the bar. That produced was the same brand. He could swear to it. He did not give that bottle to anyone. Ann Knox said she was employed by Mr Tetley. The prisoner came to her yesterday and wanted to ?ee witness' daughter. She said would witness have a drink, and witness declined. Prisoner was shown out by. witness' daughter and she would have to go by the bar. She had no bottle in her hand when she went out, but in about five or six minutes frisoner came back and had the bottle. t was in No. 10 next the kitchen, standing on the table. Witness' daughter said was it beer, and prisoner suggested to knock the neck off Witness said she would go and get a corkscrew from Mrs Tetley. Witness fetched Mrs Tetley, and she said '" Thatfs a bottle of champagne that has been taken off my shelf," and she also said prisoner shouldn't leave the kitchen until enquiry was made. Prisoner said a Maori girl gave it to bur. A constable was then sent for.

Theresa Knox. daughter of la st witness, gave similar evidence. Sarah Tetley, wife of Frederick Tetley, recognised the bottle of champagne produced. She could identify it. It was from the end of the shelf. The bottle was on the »helf at half-past six o'clock. She went into the kitchen in consequence of what Mrs Knox said. Prisoner was there with the bottle, which she said she got from a Maori. From the time witness dusted the bottles until called by Mrs Knox, witness saw no Maories in the bar. No one had liberty to take the bottle.

Prisoner adhered to her statement that she got the buttle from a Maori and thought it was beer.

A list of previous convictions was kanded in, most of them being for petty larceny—in two instances for stealing liquor. The Bench could not credit such a story as that told by prisoner, and sentenced her to three months' imprisonment with hard labor.

The Court adjourned.