Petersfield.
PETTY SESSIONS, September 27th.
Present the Hon. J. J. Carnegie (chairman), Sir J. C. Jervoise. Bart., M.P, J. Bonham Carter, Esq., M.P., J. Waddington, and Major Briggs.
This was a Special Session for revising the Jury Lists.
SETTING WIRES.
George Powell, old man who has spent 18 years of his life in prison for offences against the game laws, was again brought up charged by William Tribe, gamekeeper to Mr. Nicholson of Basing Park, with setting wires in Stevens’ Coppice, in the parish of Froxfield, at 6 p.m. on the 9th of April. From the evidence of witness it appeared that upon his seeing the prisoner stoop down and set a wire, he went to him and found in his hand 17 wires. Upon going to the spot where the prisoner stooped down, he found the wire set and 10 others in the coppice where he had been.
Prisoner elected be tried by the bench, and added, ‟I hope you’ll be as lenient as you can, I am near 70 years of age.”
Previous convictions being proved the prisoner was sentenced to pay a fine of £5 and 8s. costs, and in default was committed for three calendar months with hard labour.
STEALING SACKS AND CORN.
Joseph Pannell, employed as a carter by Edward Shenton, Esq., of Buriton, appeared upon remand charged with feloniously stealing and taking away five sacks, also a quantity of oats and wheat, the property of his master.
P.C William Rolfe deposed—From information I received, I went on the 17th of September to the prisoner’s house, where I found five corn sacks on the floor, one was nailed down, having been cut open; four others were not cut, they were marked E. Shenton, Winnall; one was marked W. Chase, Petersfield. I asked the prisoner whose the sacks were, he said Mr. Shenton's, Buriton. Prisoner’s wife was present and said, ‟I told you you would keep on till you brought me into trouble.” She then admitted having cut the sack open and nailed it down in the absence of the prisoner. I then took the sacks and weut away. I returned after Mr. Shenton had seen the sacks. I took possession of the oats and now produce a sample from each sack, they were tied up and nearly full; three sacks contained black oats and four red French oats.
By the prisoner—They were just inside the door, not concealed. I found seeds in the house besides—several parcels. I found rape seed, turnip seed, and a little barley.
Superintendent Longlands deposed—On Friday, 16th September, from information I received from Mr. Shenton, I went to prisoner’s house; I found three sacks of oats downstairs, and upstairs in a closet I found four sacks of oats.
By prisoner—You said when I went in I should find some up stairs.
The witness continued—ln the back room up stairs I found a sack in which was about two bushels of wheat, and in another about three bushels; one of the sacks was marked E. Shenton, Buriton. The prisoner said it was his wife’s leasing wheat, and the oats were what he intended to give to his horses at sowing time. I drew Mr. Shenton’s attention to the wheat, and said it did not look like leasing wheat. Prisoner said his wife had swept some wheat out of a waggon when they were going to cart barley, and some out of the barn.
Edward Shenton deposed—In consequence of having missed some corn I went up stairs with Superintendent Longlands, the prisoner was present. I examined the two parcels of wheat found in the back bed room; I told Pannel it was the worst case I had found against him, from the fact of there being clyder and charlock seeds mixed with the wheat. He then stated that his wife had swept out the waggon the previous year (1863). I then pointed out mice and rats’ dung. I can positively declare it was not leasing wheat from the three weeks rain which had spoiled it.
By the Chairman—I had red French oats and black Tartar oats (samples produced). He was not allowed to sweep out the wheat waggons for his horses; the seven horses were under prisoner’s charge on the upper farm. The house adjoins the stable, but there is no communication between. All beyond six bushels in the bin should have been kept in the harness coop. I never allowed prisoner to remove oats to his house.
By the prisoner—All carters have sacks under tbeir care. I had some damaged wheat on the Holt in 1863, and the roofs of some ricks were damaged from wet, and damaged corn was given you for the poultry. I never appointed any place for keeping the same. It was part of your duty to sweep out the waggon, and put the produce into the barn, but not to sweep the barn. Seeds and corn after finishing sowing would be put in your house. The oats were under your care to give to your horses; sometimes you had three weeks’ supply at once, when they came up by rail.
By the Chairman—Three sacks of oats were found in a back room down stairs, and four sacks up stairs In prisoner’s bed room.
William Hall, a labourer in the employ of Mr. Shenton, proved thrashing the several leaser’s wheat, but saw no small seeds or rats’ dung.
John Stubbs, called by the prisoner, who said, I am bailiff to Mr. Shenton. I have ordered the prisoner to sweep out the waggon with barley or oats. I know seeds have been put into your house for protection. I believe it was last spring you told me you had saved some oats; I made no objection. You have had chickens’ meat put into your house for the use of the poultry.
The prisoner was committed for trial at the sessions to be holden in October next, at Winchester.
ANOTHER CASE OF STEALING.
Edwin Hawse was charged with stealing a knife, fork, spoon and scarf, value 3s. 6d., the property of Mr. James Ware of the Railway Inn, Liphook.
Mary Bridger proved seeing the prisoner come into the house about twelve o’clock on the 20th of September, and to putting an electro plated teaspoon in the back room, and on returning about three minutes after, the spoon was gone.
P.C. Walter Batt proved taking the prisoner upon the platform of the railway station at one o’clock, and to finding upon him the spoon and knife identified by Mr. Ware.
Sentenced to 21 days with hard labour.