RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

West Coast Times, Issue 702, 24 December 1867, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Beforo G. a. FitzGorald, Esq., R.M.) MONDAY, DECEMBER 23. Drunk and Incapable — Daniel Smith and John Simpson were each fined 10s with the alternative of twenty-four hours imprisonment in default of payment. Lunacy — John Robinson, on remand from tho 21st December, was brought up charged with being o£ unsound mind. Dr Ryley was called and stated that tho defendant had been suffering from delirium tremens, but had r.ow quite recovered. Ho was accordingly discharged. Violent Assault. — James Murphoy was charged with violently nssaulfciug his wifo, Mary Murphy. A medical cerHfk'ato by Dr Ilyley was handed in by tho Inspector of Poliso to the effect that Mrs Murphy wa3 admitted to tho hospital on tho 22nd instant, aud from tho nature of tho injuries she had received she was unable to attend tho Court, and would probably be unable to attend for a week to come. At the request of the police, the prisoner was remanded till tho 80th instant. Breach of Public House Obdinance. — C. B. Edwards, Criterion Hotel; Thomas Collins, Fountain Head Hotel ; aud Thomas Pottoll, Old Glasgow Hotel ; for neglecting to keop a light burning over the doors of their respective hotols, were each fined 10a, with costs 6s 6d. Breach op Police Ordinance.— Alfred Dyson was charged, on tho information of Sergeant Wilson, with, on the 19th instant, encroaching upon the public thoroughfare, viz., tho sea beach, by having a fenco thereon. The Sergeant stated that tho defendant was lined Is on the 13th for the same offence. Ho had failed to removo tho fenco. His Worship fined him L 5 and costs. Breach op Destitute Persons Relieb Ordinance.— An information laid by Susannah Hopkinson against Henry Hopkinson for neglecting to provide for the support of his rrife (complainant), and their three children, was withdrawn by tho complainant, as the defendant had sent her a sum of money, and had promised to provide for them for tho future. LABOEinr. — Win, Wylie, on remand from tho 20th inst., was charged, on the information of Rouko T. Luks, with, on or about tho 17th or 18th day of December, stealing a nugget ring and v gold lever watch, the property of Mr Luks, of the value in all of Lll sterling. Reuko Frederick Luks deposed that he was the proprietor of tho White House Hotel, Bovoll street. On tho 18th inst. witness missed a gold lover watch and a gold nugget ring from tho drawers of tho bar counter. Ho valued the watch at L 7 and the ring at L 4. Witness last saw tho articles in the drawer on tho 17th inst. On tho 19th inst. witness reccivod tho ring (produced) from Mr Moflalt. It was subsequently handed by Air Moffatt to Sergeant Sugruo. Witness bought tho watch on tho 16th inst. from Mr Trautvetter. Tho ring was left by Mr TrautTclter with witness to bo raffled (Witnoßs hero identiliod tho watch.) Prisoner waß in witness's employment about fiftoon or sixteen months ago. He was at prisoner's home on Monday, tho 15th, or Tuesday, the 16th inst. Thomas Homan deposed that ho was the proprietor of the Horse and |Groom Hotel. On Wednesday morning, the 18th instant, prisoner had throe driuks at witnoss'B houso, and ho then laid down for about an hour and a half. When ho awoko

he called for more drinks on trußt. "Witness refused to eupply him. He then offered to lcaro a gold watch in trust for 30s. Witness's wife gave the prisoner two half-sovereigns, and ho handed her the watch. Raynor Harrison deposed, that he was proprietor of the Adelphi Hotel. On the 18th December prisoner was at •witness's house about ono o'clock. Ho had two drinks, and shortly afterwards he told witness he had left a watch in tho care of Mrs Homan. Ho laid she had advanced him a pound on it. Prisoner asked witness if ha would buy the watch. "Witness told him he did not want one. Prisoner said he \va3 in want of money, and he wished to get moro than he had borrowed on the watch. Witness asked prisoner what sort of watch it was. Ho said a good Genera, and offered to soil it to witness, if he would repay Mrs Homan a pound and give him another pound. Witness accompanied prisoner to Homan's aud examined the watch. Witness told him ho did not care about buying tho watch, and offered him 30s for it. Witness handed Mrs Homan a pound, and gave prisoner fivo shillings, and at tho same lime told him if tho watch kept good time he would pay him tho balance another day. Prisoner gave witness a receipt for tho money. Witness took tho watch to Trautvetter's on tho 19th December to have a glass fitted to it. Trautvetter said tho watch had been stolen, and he ttouM detain it. (Witness here identified the watch.) Robert M'Donald deposed that he was a butcher, in Mr Moffat's employ. On Wednesday, the 18th inst, prisoner caruo into the •hop in Revell street, and purchased two shillings worth of steak which he paid for. Witness put the money into the till in prisonor's presence. Witness observed a large ring on the prisoner's finger, and remarked to him that it was a nice one. He said it was, and offered to sell it to witness for L 2. Witness asked if it was gold. Prisoner said it was — took it off, and at tho same time ho remai'kerl, pointing to tho shopman who was in tho salt-houso at the back " show it to my friend." Witness showed it to the shopman, and asked him what ho thought of it, and on his return to tho Bhop ho found prisoner had opened the lid of tho desk, and was fumbling about inside the desk. Witness's suspicions wore aroused, and lie refused to return tho ring to tho prisoner, and handed to the shopman, Allen M'Culluni. (Witnoss here identified the ring.) William MofFat deposed that he was a butcher. On tho 18th instant he received tho ring from Allen M'Culluni on the following morning, the 19th inst., witness handed tha ring to Mr Luks, who returned it to him. He afterwards gavo it to Sergeant Sugrue. Adolpho Trautvetter deposod that he was a watchmaker and jeweller. On Monday tha 16th instant, witness sold Mr Luks a gold lovor watch. He also gavo him a ring to raffle. (Witness here identified the watch and ring.) On the 19th instant, Mr Harrison brought tho watch to his shop to have a glass fitted to it. Witness at once recognised tho watch to be tho one he sold to Mr Luks. He detained it and handed it over to Sergeant Sugrue. Thomas Sugrue deposed that he was a Sergeant of Police stationed at Hokitika. On the 19th instant ho received information from Mr Luks that a -watch and ring had been stolon from his premises. At about half-past eight o'clock on the same evening witness arrested prisoner in Tancred streot. Witness asked him if he had a watch about him. He said ho had not had ono for the last six weeks ; tho last one he had he sold for ton shillings in a shoemaker's shop in Beach street. Witness took tho prisoner to Moflatt's, and lie was there identified by M'Callum and M'Donald as the man who had offered the ring for sale. About nine o'clock that same evening witness received tho watch from Trautvetter. About noon on the day witness arrested prisoner he received the ring. Ho also received a receipt from Mr Harrison, of the Adelphi Hotel. Allen M'Cullum deposed that he was foreman at Mf Mofffttt's. On the 18th December witneii saw th* prisaner talking to M'Donald in the Bhop. M'Dosald brought a ring into the salt-houso, and showed it to witneis. Prisoner told witnoss he bought the ring in Otago eighteen months ago. Witness detained the ring, and subsequently handed it to Mr Moffatt. (Witness here identified the ring) This closed the ca«o for the prosecution. The prisoner, who declined to make any statement, was committed for trial at tho •nsiung Criminal Sessions of the Supremo Court, to be holden on the 15th of January next. CIVIL OABEB. Bailie and Humphrey t. M'Connell and Co. ; for 3064 dozen of eggs. — Mr Button for plaintiff. Judgment for amount olaimed, L 27 6s 4d and costs. • Hatfield v. Kiimner and Foster. — Mr Harvoy for the plaintiff; Mr Button for th« defendant. It appeared that tho cause of action had arisen at Charle3lown, and his Worship declined to hoar the case. Agnis v. Milbank. — Mr Button for the plaintiff. For wages. Judgment for LB7, with costs. Powell v. Hawker. — For board and lodging and refreshments. Judgmont for amount claimed L 3 7s 6d, with costs. Biondina v. Covancouch. — Mr South for tho plaintiff, Mr Button for the defendant. Adjourned till 24th inst. Blundoll v. Foote, Feshwick, and Sutherland. — Mr South for tho plaintiff. For wages. i udgmont for LlO 4s 2d, with costs. Beks v. Foote, Feshwick, and Sutherland.— Mr South for plaintiff. For wages. Judgment for L 7 11s 6d, with costs. Covancouoh v. Biondini. — Mr Button for plaintiff, Mr South for defendant. L 4 2s paid into Court. Adjonrned till January 2nd. Tho Court was then adjourned till olevou o'clock on Tuesday, the 24th inst.