RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, LAWRENCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 176, 22 June 1871, Page 6

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, LAWRENCE.

(Before W L. Simeon, Esq., RM)

Monday, June 19. John Smith a l ius Thomas Gafney was charged on remand with stealing four woollen shirts, the value of £2 Bs, the property of Herbert. & Co. James Budge, sworu, deposed — I am in the employ of Herbert and Co. I recognise the shirt produced as like some we have in stock. There were some exactly similar placed at the door of the drapery department on Friday last. They are of a peculiar pattern, and mule expressly for Herbert and Co. 1 sold some from the parcel placed at the door on Friday last, I sold none to the accused. They are worth 12s each. Ido not think any one in Lawrence have shirts like them. If the shirts produced were sold for 4s 6-i, I should consider they were given away.

Edward flerbert, sworn, deposed — 1 am a member of the firm of Herbert & Co. I know the shirt produced as similar in make, and the same buttons, as some we have in stock. They are of a peculiar make. I got them specially made for our firm. I never saw the accused before Saturday last. I never sold him any shirts, or anything else.

Mary Jane Reid, sworn, deposed — T purchased a shirt similar to the one produced from the accused. 1 gave him 4-3 6d for it. I handed the shirt to Constable Henderson.

Oonstabie Henderson proved the arrest of the accused at Chalmers' Halfway House.

William Colquhoun also proved having purchased one of tli3 shirt.*.

The prisoner, in answer to his Worship, said he had been druak for some days past, and could not account for the possession of the shirts, but recollected selling two of them. He had a wife and family in Duuedin, and had been prospecting near Waitahnna.

A second charge was then made against the prisoner for stealing a muffler, but discharged fur waut of sufficient evidence.

Another charge, for stealing a tomahawk from Mr. Meyer, ironmonger, was fully proved against the prisoner. U is Worship convicted the prisoner on ths lim charge, and sentenced him to three months' hard labour in Dunedin Gaol ; on the third charge, two months' hard labour, to be cumulative.

Henry Hig^ins was charged with having been drunk and disorderly. Pleaded Guilty.

Fined 10a and costs, or 48 hours imprisonment,