MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 387, 8 September 1875, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday, September 8. (Before G. L. Hellish, Esq., R.M.) Drunk and Disorderly. —Albert Burson, arrested for being drunk while in charge of a horse, was fined 10s, and ordered to pay cabhire. Stephen Farley, charged with being drunk at the Railway Station, and obstructing one of the porters, was fined 20s. James Faulkener, was fined 10s. Henry Baker, a shearer, ss, and Albert Newman, charged with drunkenness and creating a disturbance in front of the Theatre, was fined 10s. Larceny prom a Dwelling. —Margaret Gorkin, a young girl 14 j-ears old, was charged with this offence. Detective Kirby deposed to going to accused’s mother’s house armed with a search warrant. He was accompanied by a Mrs Follas, who claimed some wearing apparel which he found in the house. Mrs Follas stated that the accused was in her service for nine weeks. She left on Monday, and after she (accused) had gone she (witness) missed five pair of stockings. Went with the detective yesterday, and found the articles produced in the house of accused’s mother. The girl had no right to take the things, and was not given them by her (witness.) Inspector Feast told his Worship that accused had been twice before the Court, and discharged on account of her tender age. Her brothers and sisters had been convicted of larceny, and the girl was being brought up very badly. Ordered to be sent to the Industrial school for four years to be brought up in the teaching of the Church of England. Attempting to Abscond prom Bail. — Henry Mullens, who is waiting trial at the Supreme Court, was brought up on warrant charged with attempting to abscond from his bail. Mr Joynt appeared to defend. Detective Kirby deposed to the arrest of the accused at the Railway station, and knew that since he (accused) was committed for trial he had disposed of his business. It had been reported to him at Rangiora, Kaiapoi, and Christchurch, that the accused was about to abscond. By Mr Joynt—The report was not made in an official manner, but he (witness) was told in conversation that the accused was about to abscond. Knew nothing of the circumstances under which the accused held the lease of the hotel at Rangiora. Inspector Feast deposed to the accused having sold his interest in the hotel since he had been on bail, and it had been reported to him (witness) that accused was about to leave the colony after he had transferred his lease. Several gentlemen in the city had also told him that they afraid he was going to abscond. He (witness) went to see the prisoner’s sureties, and one of them told him (witness) that he had a cheque belonging to accused for £IOO, but he was going to return it after the license for the hotel was transfered. This person had also said that he would not be at all surprised if the accused cleared out. From what he (witness) had heard, he had good reason for believing that the accused intended to leave the province as soon as his business was transferred. Mr D. McGuinness called by Mr Joynt, stated that he was one of the sureties for the accused. Had held from last Wednesday £IOO belonging to the accused, as security for the landlord, who would not release the accused until the license was transferred. The hundred pounds was in no way connected with the bail-bond. He (witness) had good reasons for believing that it was not the intention of accused to leave the province. Knew that he (accused) had made arrangements for his defence at the Supreme Court. Knew that accused had ample means to pay his debts, and would have a good sum then left. Had had conversations with his co-surety, and he did not believe the accused would clear out. By Inspector Feast—Was not in any way responsible for bills due by the accused. Had not seen his co-surety (Mr Macnamara) the previous night. Mrlnnes called stated thatthe £IOO had been placed in the hands of the last witness as security for the license being transferred. The reason why he wanted the money lodged, was because he had not much confidence in the accused. After Mr Joynt had addressed the Bench, his Worship said he would not issue a warrant of commital, and relied a great deal on the assurance given by Mr Joynt that full arrangements had been made by the accused for his trial. The accused would be discharged. Horse Stealing. —Robert Cunningham was charged with stealing a mare, the property of J ohn Atkins, Shand’s Track. Detective Bettington deposed to arresting the accused at the Wheatsheaf Hotel, on this charge. When arrested accused said that was what he got by doing a man a good turn. Prisoner was sober at the time, but shammed drunkenness. By prisoner—“ You did not say you drove the mare and and a cow off the road into the paddock. John Atkins, farmer, stated he put the mare into a paddock about five o’clock the previous afternoon. There was a good fence all round the paddock the entry being by slip rails. About eight o’clock he went to the paddock, the mare was there then, and ‘ ‘ that gentleman ” (prisoner), was taking her out of the paddock. Followed him, and saw him putting up the rail, the mare at the time being on the road. Asked the prisoner what he was going to do with the mare, and he said the cow had horned the rails down, and he was going to put her (the mare) into the paddock again. Was quite sure when he first saw the prisoner that he was inside the paddock with the mare. The mare could not have knocked the rails down herself. She is a very quiet animal, and not given to straying away. Valued her at £B. To the Bench —When first he saw prisoner, he was in front of the mare, who was following him out of the paddock. The mare would lead by the mane. Saw the prisoner the same evening in the river bed. He had no right to remove the mare. Reuben Ogden, who lives near the last witness, stated that from what Mr Atkins had told him the previous night he went after the prisoner. Came up to him near the Wheatsheaf Hotel, and accused him of attempting to steal the mare. Prisoner made several contradictory statements, and eventually he (witness) left him in charge of the landlord while he came in to the police. Prisoner had been drinking, but was sober when he saw him. In reply to the Bench, the prisoner said he had no intention of stealing the mare. He was committed for trial at the next criminal eesaion of the Supreme Court,