RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

West Coast Times, Issue 592, 17 August 1867, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before G. G-. FitzGerald, Esq., R.M.) Friday, August 16.

Disorderly Conduct. — Ferdinand Basits was fined 10s, or, in default of payment, to be imprisoned for four-and-twenty hours. Larceny — John Thomson, on remand from the 15th instant, was charged with stealing tliree dozen of lemonade, valued at 27s. — John Ward was called, and deposed that he was a waterman. At about four o'clock on the evening of the 14th inst., he left three dozen of lemonade at the foot of Revell street, and at twelve o'clock on the same night he sent a man to fetch them. He returned, and reported that they had been taken away. Witness identified the bottles and the case produced. He knew that the bottles produced were those he left at the foot of Revell street, because two bottles of sarsaparilla were put in to make up the tliree dozen. — The prisoner, in his defence, stated that he was perfectly honest, and hud always been so. If the bottles were found in his . possession, they must have been given to him. — His Worship sentenced him to six months' imprisonment, with hard labor. > Larceny. — Varchill Stronghill was charged with" stealing firewood, of the value of 2s. — . Constable M'Gill stated that on the morning of the 16th instant, about half-past one o'clock, he saw prisoner removing firewood from the heap in Stafford street. The constable went towards prisoner, who ran away, and bid himself behind a house close by. The constable followed him, and asked him why he had taken the wood. He replied that ho wanted to make a table, and that he had taken the piece of wood to make the legs with. — Patrick M'Gurk deposed that he wa3 parfc owner of the Stafford street Tramway. Constable M'Gill had shown Jiim a piece of wood (produced), and he identified it to be his property. Witness had been iv the habit of using it for " scotting" the wheels of his dray. — The prisoner repeated that he had taken tho wood to make legs for a table. — His Worship discharged him with a caution. Larceny irom: the Person. — John Kirwin was charged with stealing from the person of Patrick Cullen money to the value of about L 5. Mr South appeared for the prisoner. — Patrick Cullen deposed that he was a dealer. He met prisoner yesterday evening, 15th, and usked him to have a drink. After having a drink together, they went to the prosecutor's house, about twelve o'clock. Prisoner was in the tent when witness went to bed, and when he awoke prisoner hud left. He then found that the lining of his trousers hid been cut, and his pocket book and money were stolen. There were four one pound notes and some silver in the pocket book — in all about L 5. The prisoner, in the presence of Detective Browne, acknowledged that he had taken witness's money. He asked witness to say that lie had given him his money to take care of, and not to give him in charge. Cross-examined by Mr South — Witness was not drunk. He recollected everything that occurred. He swore that he did not give the prisoner his money to take care of.- Detective Browne was called and stated that from information he received he, went hi search of prisoner, and found him in a right-of-way off Rovell street. He told him that he was charged with robbing the prosecutor. Prisoner laughed, and said he had dove nothing of the kind. Witness then proceeded to search prisoner, but he resisted. He subsequently allowed the detective to search him, when 1A and sixteen shillings in silver were found on him, Prisoner asked witness to say nothing ' about it and he would " make it all right with him." He at first denied that the money belonged to the prosecutor, but he afterwards admitted that it did, and he subsequently requested the prosecutor in bis (witnesses) presence not to say anything about it. Crossexamined by Mr South — Prisoner was in witnesses company between ten and eleven It was before twelve when witness met him. He (prisoner) was coming down Revell street. The prisoner, through his counsel, Mr South, stated that the prosecutor being very drunk had given him (prisoner) his money to take care of. Mr South contended that if that was the cuse there was no felonious connection, as to the different statements made by the prisoner with reference to t the money ; it was 'no doubt to be attributed to his nervousness on being arrested. The prosecutor admitted that he had taken three glasses chat evening, which might, meaning anything, from three to nine. His Worship remarked that the case was a very clear one. There was no doubt from what prisoner had told the police that he had taken the money. The lining of prosecutor's trousers pocket had been cut. Prosecutor had stated thut he had curried money iv that pocket ull day, and that when he went to bed tho lining was whole. It was not to bo supposed, as had been set up by prisoner's counsel, that the hole was worn. The prisoner had accompanied the prosecutor home, and suddenly disappeared. His Worship sentenced him to four months' imprisonment, with hard labor.

Larceny i'koji a Dwelling. — Three charges of stealing from a tent property to the value of 30s, 50s, and 20s respectively were preferred against Henry Bolton, alias Beverley. . The prisoner pleaded guilty to all three charges. He declined to make any statement, aud was remanded for sentence till next day, the 17th instant.

Breach of Police Ordinance. — Annie Ferguson was charged with furious riding in Revell street on tho 9tli inst. She -was fined L 2 and costs. — Mrs Selby was also charged with furious riding in Revell street on the 11th instant, aud fined L 2, with costs. — John Stewart was charged with, on the 12th iust., discharging a gun, without lawful cause, within the boundary of the town of Hokitika — viz., Gibson's Quay. The defendant stated that he was not aware that he was transgressing.—His Worship fined him -5s and costs.

CIVIX CASE. Robertson v. Rowcliffe. — In this case — adjourned from yesterday (the 15th inst.) — his Worship gave judgment for the defendant, with costs. The Court was then adjourned till eleven o'clock next day.

As a surgeon, during the late war in America, was going his rounds examining his patients, he came to a sergeant of a New York regiment, who had been struck by a bullet in the left breast, directly over the region of the heart. The doctor, surprised at the narrow escape of the man, exclaimed, " Why, my man, where in the name of goodness could your heart have been?" — " I guess it mußt have been in my mouth, just then, dootor," replied the poor fellow with a faint amile.