(The original image of this page has slightly cut off the extreme right side, hence ?? in a number of places)
PETERSFIELD PETTY SESSIONS.
TUESDAY.—Present Hon. J. J. Carnegie (Chairman), J. Bonham-Carter, Esq, M.P., J. Waddington, Esq., and Major Briggs.
This was a special session for verifying jury lists and transferring ale-house licenses. All the jury lists were passed with the exception of that for Greatham, in which case the overseer did not attend, and a summons was ordered to be issued.—The license of the "Volunteer Arms," Petersfield, was transferred from Jehoiada Morgan to William Bailey, and that of the "Blue Bell"' at Liss, from John Longhurst to Henry Pollard.
Henry Martin was fined 1s. and costs 1s. 6d. for taking stock into Petersfield market with a wrong license.
William Smith and George Effingham were charged with stealing at Petersfield, on Friday, the 13th inst., a canvas slop and a clasp knife, value 4s., the property of Joseph Thomas.—Prosecutor deposed as follows: I am a private in the Royal Artillery, No. 2967, and I passed through Petersfield on Friday, the 13th inst. en route from Woolwich to Hilsea. I was billetted at the "George Inn," in the Square. I was in the tap-room about ten o'clock in the evening, with two of my comrades, and the two prisoners. My slop was lying on the top of my kit; I had also a large clasp knife in my knapsack, bearing my initials, "J. T.," on it. I went to the stable leaving only the prisoners in the room. I was absent about a quarter of an hour. On my return I missed my slop and my knife, and the prisoners were gone.—The articles were here produced by P.C. Abraham, and identified by the witness.—James Harfield deposed: I saw Effingham in the morning of Saturday, the 14th inst., at the lime kilns. He had a slop tied round his shoulders, which appeared nearly new. I said, "You've got a new suit," and he said, "You chaps don't know the way about," and that he bought the slop at Coombs's. I looked at it, and observed that a button was gone from one of the sleeves. That now produced is, to the best of my belief the same. There is a button off one of the sleeves.—P.C. Charles Abraham deposed: On Saturday I went to Buriton lime works, and saw the prisoner Effingham, and asked if he had a slop? He said, "Yes." I asked him where he bought it. He said "At Portsmouth." I turned round and saw the slop I now produce by the side of the prisoner's coat. I said "Is this yours?" He said "Yes." I began to examine the marks, and said "What, are both of them yours?" He said "No, that one is CurIy's." I asked who CurIy was. He said "A man that is out on the lush to-day, but he has left his slop." I asked where he lived and he said over the hill. I said "I believe it is yours for I saw you with a new slop on Sunday." He said "No you didn't." I then took him into custody. In the evening of the same day I went to Blackmore's house, where Smith lodged. I found the clasp knife I now produce in a table drawer. I brought it to Petersfield station, where Smith was in custody. I asked him if it were his. He said "Yes, I picked it up under the settle at the George." The prisoners elected to be tried by the bench, and pleaded guilty. Prosecutor requested the magistrates to deal leniently with the prisoners, as he thought it was more of a drunken frolic than anything else. They were sentenced to two months' imprisonment with hard labour.
William Robinson was convicted on the evidence of Albert Lambert, of using a trap for taking a pheasant on Friday, the 13th inst., at Buriton, on land belonging to J. Bonham Carter, Esq. (Mr. Bonham-Carter retired during the hearing of this case). A previous conviction having been proved, defendant was sentenced to pay a fine of £3 with costs, 9s. 6d.; or in default, two months' imprisonment with hard labour. He was removed in custody.
(Same legible report in West Sussex Gazette 26-Sep-1867)