Yesterday.—(Before H. W. Northcroft Esq. R.M.)

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1236, 1 June 1880, Page 2

Yesterday.— (Before H. W. Northcroft Esq. R.M.)

Theft Robert Sedgrood was charged on the information of Constable Foreman with stealing a bottle of sherry from the Hamilton Hotel on Saturday night, May 29, of the value of 9 shillings. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Elizabeth CraAvford, on oath, stated I am a servant, in the employment of Mr Gwynne, and sometimes act as barmaid in the evening. I saw the prisoner in the HoteJ on the 29th. I turned round to get some stout ; the bottle of sherry was then there. When I turnrd round again it Avas gone. The gin bottle produced is the one. The prisoner was there both before and after I missed the bottle. I asked him if he had taken it and he said "no I got this at James's." The bottle was inside his shirt. I asked him to give up the bottle or I would tell Mr Gwynne. On his refusal I informed Mr Gwynne I heard the prisoner offer to pay Mi Gwynne for the bottle. He did not go away at once. 1 swear distinctly that there was no chaff going on. Richard Gwynne, on oath, said I am proprietor of the Hamilton Hotel. The last witness is my servant. he complained that a man in the bar had taken a bottle of sherry from Avhore we had missed one before. I went and found prisoner with the bottle in his hand. I then sent for a constable. The prjhoner put the bottle down and wanted to pay ior it. I declined to receive payment. The bottle produced I believe is the one, and valued at ab<mt nine shillings. Constable Foreman .came in soon after and I informed him of what had taken place. The prisoner had left before. Constable Foreman, on oath, stated, at 10 o'clock on Saturday night I received information that a man had stolen a bottle of wine at Gwynne's hotel, on arriving there, Mr Gwynne explained the circumstances, and handed me the bottle produced. I obtained the mans name and searched for him but could not find him. I heard he wji- employed on the railway. I arrested him yesterday at his hut. I told him the charge ; he .said " Yes, that's all right, I suppose they thought I was going to shake it, but I only took it in a lai k ; we were skylarking with the girl." Mike. O'Sullivan, on oath, stited, I am working on the railway, and mates of the prisoner. I was in Gwynne's on the night of the 20th, we had been paid during that day. We went to Gwynne's about 8 or 9 o'clock. We wore chaffing, and the barm iid s.nd slid wan'cd Lo sp' ak to the prisoner We were playing cards in the evening, and hud three drink-. There was chaffing going on, but not of any account. We had plenty of liquor. I did noi see the pri&ouer w.th the bottle. His Worship sentenced the prisoner to one week's impris-onineut with hard Übor.