RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2559, 20 March 1877, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIS BAY. (Before W. Eraser, Esq., R.M".) DBVNKENNESS. One. inebriate was . punished in the usual manner for being drunk and incapable last night. ' - .:';■■} liAECENY 01?" ADOG COLLAR.'.' •. - William Cavanagh, a lad aged about 15 years, was charged with stealing a dog collar, valued at ss, the property of Augustus Kckeuberg, on or about the sth instant. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Mr Bulleu stated the case. Augustus Eckenberg, sworn,, deposed —I am a fisherman, residing id Shortland. I bought a dog collar on the 3rd of this month. I paid 5s for it. It was marked No. 5. I gave no person permission to take it off. There is no one interested in the dog besides myself. That is the collar (produced). Detective Brennan, sworn, deposed—l was engaged to make inquiries in reference to tho larceny of the collar. I saw the defendant who told me that the dog put into the kennel was his, and had been given to him three months before. He saw the collar on the dog, but he did not know who put it on. Constable Louis,sworn, deposed—lam stationed at Shortland. I know one! Augustus ..Eckenberg. On the .3rd of this month I sold him a dog collar. That! is the collar (produced). It is marked ■No. 5. I saw it again on the 9th. It was on a dog which was brought into the station by Constable Stapleton. The dog was known not to be registered, as the description did not tally with that for which the collar was taken out. ,

Constable Stapleton, sworn, deposedlam stationed at thortland. On the 9th inst. I found that collar on a dbg; which I brought to the station.. ' Walter Wilkes, sworn, deposed—l know the defendant, and knew he had a brown curly dog. I saw the dog with the collar on, and defendant said, he had bought it. He said he pu> it on. "Walter Grant, sworn, deposed—l know Cavanagh the defendant and knew he had a dog, Two or three weeks back it had a collar on. I said " You have been buying a collar for Eoss ?"■ He said " Yes."

Defendant said that he did not know who had put on the collar. He had only told the boys for fun. Sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment with hard labor. Li.BC.KKY OF OB APES. William Burt, Andrei McLaughlan, Frederick McLaughlan, Frank Hill, Donald McCurdy, 5 boys varying;in age from 13 to 7 years, were charged with having stolen certain fruit to wit grapes of the value of Is the property of a foreigner named Geitzberg. Mr Bullen applied to withdraw the charge against Andrew McLaughlan and Frank Hill. "' . The three other defendants then pleaded guilty. ..'.■. Mr Bullen stated that Mr Gertzberg was the proprietor of the vineyard, and was very much bothered with boys steal-? ing grapes since the season had commenced. In the case of the boys now before the Court the fruit had not only been eaten but large quantities had been carried away and the vines destroyed. The damage amounted to several pounds. His Worship said that.he hardly knew what to do with them. They did not. seem frightened at going to gaol. They would be sent to prison for 24 hours, and be each privately whipped. Court adjourned.