R.M. COURT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4307, 30 December 1892, Page 3

R.M. COURT.

■ ./i[ABISBIOEr.--7fiIDAY. : ; , - (Before Colonel Robertß, R.M.); DESTITUTE OHILOBKN, An application was made by Sergt. McArdle for the commital to an Industrial School, of the four children of John Neill, viz:—Lizzie, Robo, Amelia, and Teresa, aged H, 0,7, «nd 4 years respectively. Sergeant McArdlo gave evidence that during the night of the 27th Decembor, the attention of the police bad been called to the faot that the children now bofore the Court had been driven out by a drunken parent. The children had to be Bent to neighbours for protection. On the following day witness saw Neill and reasoned with him about his conduct to his children, Neill promised to behave better, but on the same aftornoon he was looked up for drunkenness, and the children had again to apply to the neighbours, who had up to the present looked after them and supplied tliem with foodandclothea. SinceNiell'sconviotbn witness had seen him about in a half drunken state. Had spoken to torn about the children, The North Wairarapa Benevolent Society had beon contributing 15s per week towards the children's support. John Neill, called, said that ho was unable to support his family, as rheumatics provented him doing hard ; work. His Worship: " You are able to get tank." Neill: " I didn't spend a sixpence your Worship. All I had to drink was given me by chaps who knew me." Aunie Andrews deposed to having seen the four children crying in the Salvation Army Barracks'. She asked them what was the matter and the children said thiy could not go hone, as their father was drunk and had threatened them. The Bench granted the order and the children were committed to St. Joseph's Catholic School, Wellington. BREACHES OF BOBOUOH BX-LAWS, W. Neill, charged with allowing a cow to be at large in Dixon-street, '. was fined Is and costs. Thomas C, Bayner, charged with keeping fire swine, contrary to the provisions of . tho Borough By-laws wab! fined 6s and costs. H. O'Leary, for allowing a bull to be at large, wbb fined 2s 6d and costs. laaao Allen was fined 1b and 16s costs for allowing two horses to stray. A oharge against Kow Kee of allowing rubbisb to accumulate on bis premises, was withdrawn, notice not having been previously sorved. J. Wiokens, for allowing a closot to oveflow was fined 5s and costs. ALLEGED LABOENV. (Before T. B, Price and H,E, Eton, J.P.'a) Arthur Foulsen m charged by the polioe with the larceny of thirty shillings from Thomas Burslem, The acoused, who was represented by Mr Skipper, pleaded not guilty, Sergeant McArdle stated his case to theßenoh, and asked that all witnesses le ordered to leave the Court, Thomas Burslem, laborer, residing at Te Ore Ore, remembered staying at the Empire Hotel on the night of the 27th. Retired to bed between ten and eleven o'clock, At the time had a £1 note and about ten shillings in silver in his pocket, In the morning found the money gone and informed Mr Thompson. Mr Thompson seemed put out about the matter and said, " I'll see about it." The money was eventually refunded, Mr Thompson saying that three or four young fellows had refunded the money rather than bavo any bother. Foulsen's name was mentioned as one of them. By Mr Skipper: I did not know Foulsen until after this charge was laid, I sußpeoted no person when I first discovered the money to be mis* sing, A stranger was sleeping in the same room as myself, I did not accuse him or anybody. I was shown to my room by Mr Thompson's man. I was sober enough to know I had a note in my pocket although I was " pretty right," I did not even know Psulsenwaa in the hotel that night, I never acoused bin, Mr Thompson gave me the money back and I was perfeotly satisfied, I have lost nothing, I have not spoken to the acoused either before or after I lost the money, -1 laid no information and do not wish to prosecute the matter, By Sergeant McArdlo: I admit having a conversation with Sergeant McArdle before the money was re funded to me, I believe I might hav« mentioned Foulsen's name in conneotion with another oooasion on ffhioh 1 was robbed. I have been spoken to about the aubjeot, by the accused's brother and father, but I have not been influenced by anybody, Thomas D. Thompson, licensee of the Empire Hotel, recollected BursJem deeping at his hotel on tho night of the 27th. He was able to walk to bed. On the morning of the 26th Burslem came to him at about 6.30 and said he had lost thirty shillings, Witness replied that it was strange that be should have been robbed on a previous occasion. Went away and, asked the nigbtwatobman who came in late. Was told that three young fellows came in inoludiog Foulsen, Went upstairs and found the three I aßleop in one room, Told them of the ocourrance, and each denied any knowledge, Advised their subscribing the amount The three went' down the yard and were conversing: together. Presently Foulsen came baok and said that the others had refused toeubsoribe, but sooner than have any more bother he would pay it himself, Foulsen gave witness two pound notes to pay Burslem, Witness gave the thirty shillings to Bunlem who said he was satisfied, Knew nothing more until he beard an in formation had been laid, Foulsen worked for witnoss for eighteen months at one timo and was always straight and honest. By Sergeant McArdle: All I said to Poulfleu and the others was that if the money was forthcoming Burslem would say so more about it, By Mr Skipper: Had heard since that all three of the young men had been seen with money the night be< fore the alleged robbery, Did not consider it was strange that Paulsen pay the amount, A man might do Buoh a thing to avoid a bother, ,■ Mr Skipper submitted that there was no case and that no evidence had been brought implicating his client. On account of it injuring bis character his oliont wished the'tbing hushed up. If it had not been for the police there would have beon no proceedings. ■ I Theßenoh suggested that Poulsah be put in the box as Mr Skipper bjad T noti6ed his willingness to give/evidence. / The accused then gave evidence to the effect that he did not/leave hie

'room until Mr Thompson woko him up, whan he first heard of the robbery, Hia reason for paying the 80a was that he would soonur pay £3O than have bis name inixed up with such n matter, Witness woe not in want of money. '. , Harry Levy corroborated the ovidenco of the last witness, No one could have loft the.room during the night or ho would havo beard him, as he (witness) was a light Bleepar, He would swoar he did not go out of the room himself. Woe perfectly Bober when he went to bed.

Mr Skipper addressed the Bonoh, Their Worship's decided, aftor careful consideration, to dismiss the \ case, Tho polico were quite justified in looking after matters of this kind, but in tho present case there no evidence to warrant a conviction. The accused was therefore acquitted,