MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 451, 24 November 1875, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

OHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, November 24. (Before G. L. Mellish, Esq. 11. M.) Drunk and Disorderly. —Frederick Agises, charged with drunkenness, was fined 20s, and Thomas Ellis 10s. Breaking into a Dwelling House and Stealing Therefrom. —Margaret Bowen was charged with this offence. Constable Gough stated that it was reported to him the previous afternoon by Mr Andrew Smith that his house had been broken into. Accompanied him to his place in Montreal street north, and when they reached the house Mr Smith gave the accused into custody. Accused was inside the house at the time, and handed him the watch and the likeness produced. She (accused) also gave the shilling produced to Mrs Smith. Afterwards received the album produced from Mrs Smith, who told him she took it from the accused .outside the door. He (witness) examined the door, and found the catch of the lock bulged out as if the door had been forced open. The accused was under the influence of liquor at the time. By accused—" You told me you had made a mistake in the house." By the Bench — " A daughter of the accused lives next door." Andrew Smith stated that he left his house at about a quarter-past four o'clock the previous afternoon. There was no one in the house when he left, and he locked the door. Some short time afterwards a little girl told him there was a woman in the house, and when he hurried home he saw the accused coming out with the album produced in her hand. He then took her back into the house and went for a constable. When he went inside he missed his watch, a likeness, and a shilling. Saw the accused hand the articles produced to the constable. They were his property, and he valued them at 38s or 395. The catch of the door had been forced out. Accused, in defence, said she was in drink at the time, and had made a mistake in the house, believing it to be her daughter's. Sentenced to two months' imprisonment, with hard labour.