RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, WESTPORT.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 200, 21 March 1868, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, WESTPORT.

(Before J. Giles, Esq., M.D., R.M.) Friday, March 20. an incorrigible vagabond. John Ryan was charged with being an idle and disorderly person, and with being unlawfully on the premises of Mr S. Hamilton, of the Adelphi Theatre. Constable Pringle, deposed—l koow the prisoner John Ryan to be an idle and disorderly person. I can prove five former convictions against him in Westport, for drunkenness and theft. I have never known him to do any work, except Government work. I arrested him in the street for being an idle and disorderly person, and for being unlawfully on the premises of Mr Samuel Hamilton. Constable Rooke deposed to knowing John Ryan as a bad character, and knew that he was convicted at Hokitika for theft. By the prisoner—l swear you were in gaol in Hokitika. Inspector Franklyn, sworn—l know prisoner. I knew him first on the Grey when he passed himself off as a detective, and as such obtained food, &c, from storekeepers. I knew him on the Twelve-Mile, where he was loafing. I was in charge of the police at the Grey, and I gave him twelve hours to clear out. I know he has been in gaol here, and I never knew anything good of the man. James Crane, M.C., at the Adelphi Theatre, deposed—l have known prisoner for about nine months. I have seen him drunk several times. On Thursday night I was told by Bishop, the canopion player, that a man was a up in the gallery of the Theatre. I went up and told him to clear out. The man I saw was the prisoner. He would not leave for me. I called Mr

M'Donald, one of the proprietors, and when he came up prisoner left the house. Win. Graham, said—l knew Ryan in Hokitika. He was in gaol in Hokitika. I also knew him at the Haast, where he was leading a disreputable life. I never knew the prisoner to be engaged in any lawful business. This closed the case for the prosecution. John Carr, an ex-detective of the Hokitika police force, was called by the prisoner to give him a character. Carr deposed that he knew Ryan in Hokitika, where he was committed to take his trial for theft. He believed he was acquitted before the jury. I know that prisoner represented himself as a detective from Auckland. I have known him several times as having been brought up before the Magistrats. I never knew him do a day's work. Charles Croawell, also called by Ryan, deposed to his idle and drunken character.

Henry Hunter, a constable, also gave evidence proving prisoner's idle character.

J. A. Maguire, the gaoler, proved to former convictions against the prisoner, and to his general bad character.

The prisoner declined to say anything in his defence, and the Magistrate sentenced him under the Vagrancy Act, as an idle and disorderly person, to three months' imprisonment with hard labor. LARCENY. John King, a gentleman of color, was charged with stealing a cloak, of the value of £5, from Mrs Parsons; and two dresses, the property of Mrs Emma Adams. John Groat, a shipwright, deposed— On the morning of the 17th instant I found a bundle secreted under the bank by the new wharf. In *--he bundle I found two silk dresses and a velvet mantle, and some stockings. About two o'clock I was coming ashore to hand the bundle over to the police when the prisoner came up and claimed it as his property. I gave it up to him. By the Prisoner—l did not see the bundle at 6 o'clock ; it was 10 when I found it. You did not claim them from me on account of your being the first discoverer of them. George Norman, a mariner on board the Volunteer, proved that prisoner had been engaged as cook on board the vessel, and that he had been paid-off on the Saturday or Monday previous. He also deposed to the prisoner bringing in a bundle of clothing to the cabin, and in answer to his inquiry where prisoner got the clothes, was told by him that he had been robbed of his money, and that he had taken the clothing until such money was returned.

Jane Lockyer, sworn —I am the wife of John Lockyer. I first saw the prisoner lately at 8 p.m. On Tuesday, in the afternoon, I had gone to see the procession. On coming home I found that some one had opened my door, and had left a swag on a box in my house. At eight the same evening prisoner came, when my husband asked him where he had brought the clothes from. To this, prisoner made no reply; but said afterwards that he was going to take the clothes to Canterbury. After he had gone, my husband ordered me to put the clothes outside ; and the next morning I gave them to the police. James Robertson, deposed—l know the prisoner. On Monday he came to my shop and asked for Mr Jones. After he came in, he asked me whether I wanted to buy any silk dresses. He said he had got them in a hut on the beach. I had no further conversation with the prisoner about them. By Prisoner —I went to fetch some drink, as prisoner gave me £1 for the purpose. Emma Adams, sworn—l am a married woman, residing in "Westport, at the house of Mrs Parsons, in Pree-man-street. On Wednesday Constable Pringle asked me if I had lost any dresses, as he had found some belonging to me. After I got home I searched my room and found two skirts were gone. I missed nothing more. The original cost of the dresses was about £3O. I do not value them now. I never authorised prisoner or any one else to take the dresses. By Prisoner—l do not remember ever seeing you until now. Mary Parsons, deposed—l am a married woman, living in Freemanstreet. On Tuesday evening I missed a black velvet mantle. I had seen it the previous Saturday. The next time I saw it was at the police office. I identify the mantle produced. It cost originally £ls. I never disposed of it to any one. Constable Pringle proved that from information he received from James G-roat, he had found some ladies' wearing apparel, which prisoner had claimed

as his property. On inquiry, he found Mrs Adams and Parsons' had lost articles corresponding with the ones G-roat described. He went in search of the prisoner. He called on Mr Lockyer, when Mrs Lockyer said sihe had seen prisoner; but that he had gone. She called hiin back and gave him the bundle of clothing, now produced, which she said prisoner had left with her. Mrs Parsons afterwards identified the articles at the Camp. Constable Hunter proved the arrest of the prisoner on the charge of stealing two dresses and a mantle; and deposed that when he arrested prsoner, he made no statement. The prisoner, who declined saying anything in his defence, was committed by Dr Giles to take his trial at the next Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court at Nelson. EMBEZZLEMENT. Patrick -Reappeared, charged with stealing moneys from his employers— Reid and Curie. Robert Colville Reid, deposed—l am one of the firm of Reid and Curie, proprietors of the "Westport Evening Star, The prisoner was in our employ as book-keeper, and authorised collector, and his duty was to collect money in the town. His wages were £4 10s a week. In March I had an account with Henry Stannard, who owed us 20s. In February I had an account with Mr Turner, who then owed us £l. Mr Samper at the same time also owed us 18s. Prisoner kept the books, with the exception of crediting the cash received, which duty I always performed myself. After I had laid information against prisoner, he admitted having received the money for the above-mentioned accounts. Previously to this he had denied the receipt of the money. Prisoner left our employ on the 11th March. I produce a list of unpaid accounts, which prisoner signed as correct, on which the above names appear. I found out that he had collected accounts which he had not accounted for; and when I called on him and charged him with making me a wrong statement, he admitted having received two of the accounts mentioned. I then told him I should lay an information against him ; when he said he had received money for other accounts, but he would make a clean breast of it, if I would give him an hour or two to do it in. In an hour's time he came back, and he brought me a list in his own handwriting, which I produce, containing the names of eleven persons whose accounts he had received and had not accounted for. The three names mentioned are on the list. He afterwards admitted other accounts. The three receipts of money from Messrs Stannard, Turner, and Samper, I identify as his handwriting. I have never received any of these sums of money. Prisoner offered me £lO if I would not lay the information. Prisoner's wages were paid up to the time of his leaving. Samuel Samper, deposed—l am a storekeeper, residing in Westport. Last month I owed an account of 18s for advertising in the Evening Star. Prisoner called on me for the money. I paid him the money, and he receipted the bill on behalf of Messrs Reid and Curie.

J. A. M. Turner, a watchmaker, residing in Westport, sworn—On the sth inst, prisoner demanded frem me £l, on account of Eeid and Curie, to whom I was indebted for advertising. I gave him the money. He receipted the bill. I identify the receipt produced as the one he gave me. Henry Stannard, deposed—l am a publican. On the 9th March I was due the proprietors of the Evening Star £l. The money was paid by my wife, by my order. Elizabeth Stannard, wife of last witness, deposed—My husband instructed me to pay the £1 due to Messrs Eeid and Curie to prisoner. I paid the money. He produced a bill, and gave me a receipt for the money. George Eooke, Constable, deposed —On Sunday I was in charge of the Camp. At 10.30 a.m. prisoner came and stated that he had come to surrender himself. I was aware that a warrant was out for his apprehension. I took him in charge, and cautioned him the usual manner. He made no comment thereon. The prisoner declined saying anything at present, and the magistrate committed him to take his trial at the next Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court at Nelson. The Court was then occupied for some time with some debt cases, for which we have no room in this issue, and then adjourned until 10 a.m. this day.