POLICE COURT, HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2535, 9 October 1888, Page 2

POLICE COURT, HAMILTON.

(Before Messrs W. N. Searancke and J, Knox, J.P.'s.) James Bastablk was charged with stealing two-flasks of brandy, the property of P. Le Quesne, from the Waikato Hotel on the 2nd of October. There were two charges against the prisoner, but as the evidence was the same, the Bench allowed them to be taken together. Sergt. McGrath conducted tho cases for the police. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. P. Le Qnesne, on being called, stnfod that lie had seen prisoner on the 2nd October at Hamilton East, both inside and outside the Waikato Hotel. On the morning of the second, his son Charles Le Quesne went up to the post-office, and on coming back to the hotel, found that a flask of brandy of a particular brand was missing from the liar, and the cook stated that Unstable had been in during his son's absence. His son enquired whether ho had sold any of these flasks, hut he said no, and they at once concluded that Ihe flask missed had been stolen. Witness at once consulted with Constable Murray, and a watch was kept on tho hotel, for the remainder of tho day. Four of the flasks of brandy of this particular brand were specially marked bv C. Le Quesne and after being shown to Constable Murray were placed on tho shelf in the bar. In the afternoon P...stable came back to the hotel and after being in the bar for a short time went into the kitchen. Witness then crossoii over from his simp to tho hotel and went, into the dining-room, to watch Bistable, noticing on the way that the four II ,s!;s were i'.H on the shelf. Babble then enim out of the. ki!ch-:i and went to the bar and witness heard the 'oar door click. Witness th-n went to so if he could see Constable Murray, but not being able to li-.id him went, round Clyde-street and met Bistable, coming i-ot, and found' one of the marked flasks on him. Constable Murray then armed and arrested the. prisoner. C, L" ■ <> i.'sm: corroborated the ewdence of the last witness. Cm-table Mm ray slated tu-it he had watched accused, and that .Mr b) Qnesne hid handed the prisoner. to.-Hh-r with a tli.sk of brandy found <m the latter over to hiit'. Witness to .|; the prisoner to the lock up, and afterwards searched pri-omu's house, where he found two ether flasks, one of tho same brand as the one found on prisonei, and which brand ho found, after making enquiries from the other hotelkeepers in Hamilton, was kept only at the W, kato Hotel. The accused stated Hint on the afternoon of the 2nd of October he was cmiim down Clyde-street and picked up a flask of brandy, and went into the, hotel to give it to Mr LeQuesne, but not boinir able to find him he was gnim- out when Mr LeQoesne collared him and handed him over to Constable, Murray. C. LeQuesne re-called, stated that it was not possible that the flask of brandy found on Bas'.able had been placed by him outside the hotel bar for family use or otherwise. The, Uench sentenced the prisoner to six months' hard labour in Mount Eden Gaol for each offence, the sentences to rim concurrently. A third charge against the prisoner was withdrawn.