PETERSFIELD.
Agent—MR. G. DUPLOCK
PETTY SESSIONS.—Tuesday.—Before J. Bonham-Carter, Esq., M.P. (chairman), J. Waddington, Esq., and Captain Sandeman.
— The license of the "Sun" public-house, at Privett, was transferred from Ellen Titheridge to William Turner.
— Francis Madgwick v. George Smithers.—This was an assault case. Mr. White (Guildford) appeared for defendant.—Plaintiff, who lives at Iping, deposed that on the 2nd February he attended a meeting of the Foresters, held at the "Railway Tavern," at Liphook. He was an officer of the Lodge, and was there in the discharge of his duties. In the course of the evening some words arose between him and defendant, which resulted in the latter striking him a violent blow on the eye, which was the assault complained of.—Mr. White cross-examined the plaintiff at great length, and drew from him an admission that there had been some ill-feeling existing between him and defendant for some time past, and that on the evening in question, while treating a young man named Parrott with a glass of beer, he had said to him (Parrott), "Offer a glass to Smithers, and see if he don't refuse it" — For the defence William Parrott deposed that he was at a hot supper at the "Railway Tavern" on the evening of the 2nd February. Defendant was there also. After supper Madgwick came into the room. Smithers had said nothing to anyone, but was sitting very quiet. Madgwick called for a pint of ale, and I took a glass with him. He said to me, "Offer Smithers a glass, and I'll bet a shillig he won't drink it." I handed a glass to Smithers, and he refused it, saying he did not want anything to do with him (Madgwick) or his beer, He then left the room, and Madgwick followed directly after, and in about two minutes defendant returned to the room. He had then a cut on his face, which was bleeding very much. Madgwick came back in about ten minutes, and pulled off his coat and wanted to fight Smithers. The landlord turned him out of the room, and shut the door. Smithers sat quietly on the form, and told Madgwick he did not want anything to do with him.—The magistrates having consulted, the Chairman, in addressing defendant, said it was quite clear that an assault had been committed, and there must therefore be a conviction; but, taking into account all the circumstances of the case, the bench would inflict only a nominal fine of 1s., with 14s. costs. The Chairman added that it was much to be regretted that prosecutor, as an officer of a Lodge of Foresters, should have conducted himself as he had done. He also called complainant up and admonished him to be more guarded in his conduct when acting as an officer of the Lodge, and, instead of seeking a quarrel, to set an example of good fellowship.
— Henry Simms was brought up in custody charged with stealing, at Eastmeon, on the 4th February, a piece of skirting board, value 3d,, the preperty of his employers, Messrs. Lewis, of Westmeon.— P.C. John Moore deposed as follows: On the 4th of this month I was watching the works at the Vicarage at Eastmeon, having been requested by the Messrs. Lewis to do so. A little before nine o'clock in the evening I saw someone going up towards the Vicarage. After a few minutes I saw him return. I went towards him, and just before I got up to him I saw him drop the piece of board which I now produce. I said, "Holloa, Henry, is that you ?" I asked n him what he was going to do with the board, and he said he was going to take it home to make a shelf of it. I said. "You have had no leave to take it." Ile said, "No I've not." I then took him into custody.—Geo. Mecklin deposed: I am foreman of Messrs. Lewis’ works at Eastmeon Vicarage. Prisoner is also in their employ as labourer. The men leave work at half-past five, and they have no business on the premises after that hour. We had some boards at the house similar to that now produced. It is called skirting board.—Prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment with hard labour.
— Mr. Underdown, Mr. Nichols, and Mr. Mells severally applied for a license to sell petroleum, &c., under the provisions of the recent act. The magistrates adjourned the matter for a month, and granted the applicants, in the meantime, temporary protection.