PETERSFIELD, Saturday, March 16.
PETERSFIELD PETTY SESSIONS, TUESDAY.—Magistrates in attendance: The Hon. J. J. Carnegie (in the chair) and Mr. J. Waddington.
Stealing Hay.—George Underwood was brought up under remand charged with stealing and taking away one truss of clover hay, of the value of 2s. 6d., the property of Mr. William Boys, at Old Ditcham Farm, in the parish of Buriton.—Henry Green deposed to trussing up three tons of clover hay on the 26th of February, at Old Ditcham Farm for Mr. Boys to be delivered at the Railway Station at Petersfield for Mr. Henry Voakes on that day. Witness identified the truss of hay produced by Mr. Superintendent Longlands as his tying, and which he had trussed, from the circumstance of a lock of meadow hay, lying by, which he had placed under the bond, and also from the truss being the only one from the lower part of the rick scut, which had not taken wet, and which in the loading was placed in the bed of the waggon.—The prisoner pleaded guilty.—The Chairman admonished the prisoner upon his dishonest conduct, in availing himself of the opportunity as a servant of stealing his master’s property, telling him that during his experience as a magistrate he had never known a truss of hay being allowed for sale, although he was aware. that some masters allowed a truss of straw or so to their carters when taking corn to the mill.—Prisoner was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour.—A witness named Elcombe was strongly cautioned against purchasing hay from carters for the future, telling him that in case such conduct was repeated that the license of his house would be refused. (See report below)
Stealing Turnip Greens.—John Renham was charged with stealing turnip greens from a field belonging to Ditcham Farm, in the parish of Buriton, the property of Mr. Boys.—Police-constable Charles Abraham deposed to watching a turnip field belonging to Mr. Boys on Thursday, when he saw the defendant John Benham taking some greens. Upon his coming out witness asked him who had given him leave? Defendant said, no one. The value of the greens was 2d. Defendant was 50 yards in the field from the footpath.—Prisoner was adjudged to pay a penalty of 4d., the value of the greens, 2d., and 7s. 6d. costs, which he paid.
Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette — Saturday 16 March 1867
STEALING HAY.
— George Underwood, a carter, in the employ of Mr. William Boys, of Old Ditcham farm, was charged with stealing a truss hay, value 2s. 6d., the property of his master. —On Tuesday, the 26th ult., the prisoner was sent with a load of hay, consisting of 61 trusses, to the railway-station. He delivered 60 trusses, and gave a memorandum for that number to the goods clerk at the station, leaving one truss in the waggon. On returning from the station he called at the Railway Hotel close by, and asked Mr. Elcomb, the manager, if he would buy a truss of hay. Mrs. Elcomb, who was present, asked him if he came by it honestly, to which he replied that it was his due or perquisite allowed by his master. Mr. Elcomb thereupon gave him 1s. 6d. and a quart of beer, and told him to take the hay into the yard. The next morning he gave it to Superintendent Longland.—Mr. Boys deposed that he gave prisoner and the boy who accompanied him 1s. for refreshments, but never authorised him to sell a truss of the hay.— Prisoner, who said nothing in his defence, nor asked any of the witnesses any questions, was convicted, and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour.—After the case had been disposed of, the witness Elcomb was re-called, and admonished by the chairman as to the impropriety of his conduct in purchasing the hay, and was told that if anything of the kind occurred again it would be borne in mind at the next licensing day.