RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3767, 24 January 1881, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIS DAY. (Btffrre T. L. Murray and .E. F. Tizard, * Esqs., J:s ; P^ LARCENY."

Harry Wharton was charged,"on remand* with stealing a number" of articles, value £7 3a 3d, the property of John Leydon.

Prisoner pleaded guilty. The Bench decided to hare the evidence taken down in writing > Detective Farrell said he knew accused. In consequence of information received he visited the house of Andrew Moore, residing on Block 27, and there found the property now produced in Court—l clock, 2 tablespoons, 5 forks, 9 knives, 1 steel, 1 suit of clothes, 1 trowsers and vest, 1 dozen' electro plated spoons, 1 dozen electro-plated tea spoons, two pairs of shoes, two ladies' bows. He subsequently met the prisoner in Pollen street, and took him to Mr Moore's house, and gave him the key of the box, and told him it was the property of Mr Leydon. The goods were subsequently identified by Mr Leydjn. ..-.,..

John Leydon said accused had been in his employ for the past three months. He believed that the clock was his pro* perty ; the other goods were his property. The accused had always been well conducted, and witness could rtot have believed accused could be guilty, of committing the theft. -y. The prisoner baring beeu warnes*in the : usual way pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment ijgllli hard labour, in Mount Eden gaol. DAMAGING A "WATEB TIVE. William Smith was charged with wilfully and maliciously damaging one water- | pipe, of the value of £5, the property of the Thames Borough Council on the 22nd in at.

. Mr.Miller prosecuted on behalf of the Borough Council. He said the offence was laid under the 52nd section of the Malicious Injuries to Property Act, 1869. He would call Mr Townsend.

John Townsend, sworn, said he resided near Mary street io Shortland. He saw tbir defendant Smith at .the corner of Mary street on Saturday morning. He stood close by;the water pipe, but some distance from the water ping. H« threw

fire or six large stones, which hit the plug and theroad,iad thqsound.attracted witness' attention. '3-E|j|MJMto piijkid up a billet of wood, about i^jfeetjin length, and; struck the plug with "1W He then took up an iron bar, and struck the pipe with it. Witness told prisoner not to do such ar foolish thing, but received the answer "that he should mind his own business." ' -

William Laurie deposed that only on Friday morning last one of the nine inch pipes was smash; d. The plug was indented with marks as if struck jith a siard substance.

The Bench considered the offence proved, and sentenced the prisoner to three days'imprisonment.