RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3438, 31 December 1879, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIS DAY. (Before H. Kenrick, Esq., $.M.) IABCEMT. William Willetts was charged with stealing from tlie dwelling of Thomas Head, at Pariwai, one blue cloth Teat, one pair of elastic: side boots, two gold rings, oue silrer hunting watcn, one gold chain, and one greenstone, of the value of £17.

Mr Dodd appeared for the accused, and pleaded not guilty. . Thomas Bead deposed he was a butcher, and resided at Parawai, and worked for Mr Banks. He remembered the 25th of July latt, and that particular day because he misstd certain property from his house. He missed two gold rings, a silver watch, a gold chain, a little gold locket, a waiscoat, and a pair of elastic side boots. He valued the missing articles at £17. The ring and chain produced were his. He valued the boots at £1, and vest at 17s 6d. The watch was north £4. He left no one in the house, which was closed but not locked. He missed the articles in the evening; iind his brother gave information to the police. The defendant and his brother were in the slaughter-house premises at the time the articles were missed. The boys were in the habit of going into witness's, private house, but with hit permission. . His house is a small one containing two rooms. The defendant knew his habits, time of going to work, &c. From the time the goods were stolen he had never seen them until Saturday laat, when he saw the ring on the hand of a lad named Moase.

It. Stapleton, sworn, deposed—l tm in charge of the Shortland Police Station. From information received, I went to E. C. Morgan and asked to see the chain that he had receired from Win. Willitt. I arrested the accused, and charged him with stealing the things that were stolen on the 25th of July. I met .the man and cautioned him before I accused bim of the larceny. He gave no account of where he got the articles. I then charged him with stealing the things that were missing. He replied "I did." I asked him what he had done with the remaining articles that were stolen. He replied he threw them into the Kauaeranga. I asked him how the ring came into possession of his brother. He said his brother had nothing to do with the robbery. £. C. Morgan, deposed—l am a boot* maker at Shortland. I remember tht accused purchasing a pair of boots of me on the 13th of December. He gare me as security a gold chain. The chain remained in my possession till the 29th December. I handed it orer to Constable Stapleton. The accused remarked when he gave the chain it was a present from hit uncle. Constable Stapletoo, rt-called — Tht

accused told mo tbat lie had thrown, certain articles into the Kauaeranga River. He told me to drag for them at the end of the road from Buckley's place. He gave no further information. ,*

Thii colcluded the case for the prose cution.

Mr Dodd said he reserved the defence. His Worship then * committed the accused to take his trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court, Auckland.

THE CASE AGAINfT WALTER WILLETT.

Mr Kenny withdrew the case ailtnst Walter WMett, but laid a fresh information, tbat he had received a part of the property, viz., a ring. Mr Dodd applied for an adjournment till Monday, which was granted. The father's bail was accepted for the same amount as before.

SELLING SPIBITS WITHOUT A LICENSE

The Police against Michael,Driicoll for selling grog at the late racemeetiug without a license. Sergeant Mulville, sworn, deposed—l am the Sergeant in charge at Grahamstown. I remember on the 27th December being on duty at Farawai Bfeecourse. I saw Jame3 Brien and Henry Bond go into Driscoll's booth. I followed them 4 or 5 minutes after they went in, and found tbat they had each a glass of brandy before them. Mrs Driscoll asked me not to say anything about it. Mrs gave no reason for snatching 'away the liqlor. Neither Brian nor Bond said anything. "~ 1 By Mr Dodd~l'U swear it was brandy. Mr Bond I know very well, and both of the men were sober, I had. nothitg to drink myself. I saw no money pass for the drink. I saw no liquor supplied. There waa bo lemonade supplied. The two men were sitting iiith the brandy before them*. I knew that Driscoll had not ap» plied for an extension of license. James Bryant sworn, deposed—l reside in Pollen street. I was on the racecourse at Parawai. Sergt. jtyfolviile did not see me drinking. I went into Driscoll's booth—MoKann called me in to have a drink, as he was leaving the country, and I had the drink in my hand, when the Sergeant came in, and then the jßlass was knocked out of my hand. MoKann called for brandy. Mrs Driscoll came into knock out the drink from my hands. The Sergeant made a ■ snatch and got it. Mrs Driscoll got the money for the drinks.

Henry Bond gate corroborative : 'evidence.

Eliza Driscoll deposed—l am the wife of M. Driscoll. I recollect Sergeant Muirillc coming into oar booth at Parawai. I sold ginger wine and cordials that day. When the Sergeant came m. there were a lot of people there. I know Bond and Brien. What I served them with' was ginger wine and lemonade; that was what the sergeant tasted. James Burns deposed—l was at Para* wai. I< was in Driscoll's booth cutting sandwiches. We sold lemonade, ginger beer, and sandwiches.

John Kelly, sworn, deposed—l am a miner, and I was out at Para wai. I saw j Bond there and saw the Sergeant try to i force the glass into Bond's mouth after it i was upside down. There was noticing in , the glass when the Sergeant put it against, Bond's lips. ft Sub-Inspector Kenny produced former convictions, and the Warden fined the defendant £20 and costs 395. Execution was stayed till Monday next. EXTENSION OF LICENSE. Boberfc Brown applied for extension of his license to Tararu which was granted. -~ Court adjourned.