PETERSFIELD.
Agent—Mr. G. DUPLOCK

     MAGISTRATES’ CLERK’S OFFICE.—Before the Hon. J. J. Carnegie.—John Rawlins, a well dressed man, apparently about 45 years of age, was brought up in custody, charged with committing an indecent assault upon a little girl named Harriet Inwood, in Tilmer-lane, on the previous evening. Complainant deposed as follows: I am eleven years old, and live with my grandfather and grandmother at Sheet-lane. I go to the National School at Petersfield, was there yesterday, and left to go home about five o’clock. I went up Tilmer-lane, Fanny Welch was with me; we went behind a cart as far as Mr. Wells’s, and then I found I had lost my hair-net, and went back to look for it. I met the prisoner, who had just picked it up, and I said to him ‟That is my net, I dropped it.” He said ‟It’s mine," and took off his hat, and put it on the grass, and put the net on his head, saying ‟It’s just my fit.” I did not reply, and he said ‟Come here, and let me put it on.” I said I could put it on. He said ‟No, come here, and let me put it on.” I went to him, and took off my hat, thinking I should get my net then. He put the net on my head, and as he did so he put his hand up my clothes, just round my knee. I pushed his hand down, and said ‟You must not do that.” He said ‟Yes, do, do, and I’ll give you a half-penny.” Fanny Welch was standing against the little wooden bridge close by. George Welch then came along, and when prisoner saw him he got up and went away. We had seen prisoner following us as we went up the lane. He was dressed in a high black hat, black coat, and waistcoat with stripes, and had a large yellow stick in his hand. I saw prisoner again last night at the police station, and I am quite sure he is the man. Fanny Welch deposed: I am ten years old. I live in Tilmer-lane, and go to the British school at Petersfield. Yesterday I was going home with Harriet Inwood, about a quarter past five. The prisoner followed us up Tilmer-lane. Harriet dropped her net, and went back to pick it up; the prisoner had picked it up. Harriet cried, and went to the man, and said ‟If you please that is my net.” He said it was his, and told her to come to him. He knelt down on the grass, took off his hat, and put the net on his own head, and then wanted Harriet to let him put it on her head. He put it on her head, and then put his hand up her clothes. She said ‟No, no, you must not do that.” He said ‟Yes, yes, and I'll give you a halfpenny.” My brother, George Welch, then came in sight, and when prisoner saw him he let her go. We then went home, and prisoner came towards Petersfield. Witness here gave the same description of prisoner’s dress as the complainant had done, and added: he told me to come to him, but I would not. Prisoner came to the British school about one o’clock yesterday. He had a large yellow walking-stick, which he unscrewed and spread it out (a large camp-stool, so constructed as to close up, and form a waiking-stick). I did not hear what prisoner said, he was talking to master at the lower end of the room. I went to the railway station last night, and saw prisoner in the place where they take tickets. I pointed him out to the policeman,  Mr. Elderfield. There were several other people in the room. He had the yellow stick in his hand. I am quite sure prisoner is the same person.—George Welch deposed: I am a labourer, and live at Sheet. Yesterday, about half-past five in the afternoon I was going up Tilmer-lane. I saw prisoner on his knees, just getting off the ground. Harriet Inwood appeared to be getting away from him as quickly as she could. She was crying very much, her hat was off, and her hair was down about her eyes. Prisoner came towards me, and the child went on towards her home. I followed her, and called to her, but she did not appear to hear me. Prisoner was dressed about as he is now, with a varnished round big stick.—By the prisoner: The nearest house is a good stone’s throw from the spot, and is not in sight.—Judith Inwood, mother of' the child, a deposed: I am the wife of George Inwood, and live in Sheet-lane. When my daughter came home yesterday, about half-past five o’clock, she was crying very much, and complained to me thant she had been ill-used by a man. I gave information to the police about an hour afterwards.—P.C. Henry Elderfield deposed: Last evening, about seven o’clock, from information I received, I went to the railway-station. I found prisoner in the waiting-room. I remained at the station, and sent for Fanny Welch, who came and pointed out the prisoner as the man who had assaulted Harriet Inwood. There were several other men in the room. I then took prisoner into custody, and charged him with indecently assaulting a little girl named Inwood. He said ‟My God! man, I did not insult the child; believe me, man, I never meant to do the child any harm. The child’s net was off its head, and I merely picked it up, put it on her head, and kissed her.” He said he was willing to go with me anywhere. I took him to the police-station, and on searching him found the yellow camp-stick which I now produce, a loaded pistol with a cap on, 21l. in gold, 18l. in silver, and some copper, also some papers, a knife, snuff box, &c. The money was contained in two small bags within a large one, having two strings round prisoner’s neck, and being pinned on the braces over the left shoulder, and under the waist-coat.—This being the whole of the evidence, the Magistrate, after the usual caution, asked prisoner if he wished to say anything, to which he replied that he had no design upon the child, and being further asked if he wished to sign this statement he hesitated for some time, and enquired what would be the effect of his doing so. At length he hastily seized a pen, and affixed his signature.—The Magistrate then informed him that he stood committed to take his trial at the next Quarter Sessions at Winchester on the double charge of an indecent assault and a common assault.—Prisoner thereupon became greatly agitated, and in his excitement went down on his knees, and implored his worship to inflict a fine, adding that he had a sister, to whom the knowledge of his disgrace would be certain death. His worship, however, informed him that the nature of the offence was such as allowed him no alternative but to send the case for trial by a jury, who would doubtless do him (prisoner) justice. Prisoner then asked if bail would be taken for his appearance, and on being answered in the affirmative said he had a brother a solicitor living at Market Harborough, and a sister of independent means living in London, and was, at his own request, remanded till Saturday (this day) to afford him time to communicate with his friends. The bail required was himself in 50l., and two sureties of 40l. each.—The witnesses were bound over to prosecute.