LOCAL POLICE COURTS PENRITH – TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1. (Before J. JAMIESON, Esq., SIR H. R. VANE, Bart., SIR R. C. MUSGRAVE, Bart, REV. MALISE GRAHAM, W. HARRISON, J. THOMPSON, and J. E. HASELL, Esqs.) A GANGER’S LARK AT CULGAITH. – WILLIAM COX a ganger upon the Settle and Carlisle Extension Railway, appeared to answer a charge preferred against him by THOMAS BROWN, navvie, for having done damage to the hut in which he resides to the value of 1s. MR. T.J. SCOTT appeared for plaintiff, and MR. OSTELL, of Carlisle, for defendant. A number of witnesses were examined on both sides, and the hearing lasted a considerable time; but the facts may be briefly stated. On the 3rd of August complainant was working at a distast (?) cutting upon the line, and in his absence his wife left the hut for the purpose of proceeding to Culgaith to procure some necessaries, after locking her bedroom door. On her return she was informed that the complainant had been seen to enter the hut by a window, and upon unlocking the bedroom door, she found the defendant sitting upon the side of the bed. MRS. BROWN immediately exclaimed, “Oh, COX, what have you done this for, when you know that my husband is away?” Defendant said, “Don’t be vexed; I’ve only done it for a lark, and have done no harm.” He then left the house, and on MRS. COX examining the casement, she discovered that one of the panes had been entirely forced out. MRS. BROWN was very much annoyed, and as various rumours were set afloat respecting the occurrence, she determined to bring the case before the Bench, and state what the facts of the care (?) really were. - For the defence it was endeavoured to be shown that the window was broken seven weeks before the 3rd of August, and had never been mended, and MR. OSTELL submitted that if he proved this, no wilful and malicious damage had been done by his client, who, he admitted, had been guilty of an imprudent act, and nothing more. The evidence was exceedingly conflicting, and after a long consultation, the Bench dismissed the case. REFUSING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUPPORT OF A SON – JOHN BARNES, SADDLER, refused to contribute to the support of his boy,ten years of age, who in July last was convicted of attempting to pick pockets in the Penrith Auction Mart, and was sent to prison for a month, and ordered to be sent to the Netherton Reformatory School. - Defendant said he had a large and young family, his earnings were small, and he was unable to contribute anything - The Bench, however, ordered him to pay 1s. a week until the boy was discharged from the institution. AN OLD OFFENDER. – SARAH THOMPSON, an old dissipated-looking woman, was brought up in custody on a charge of stealing part of a round of beef and two silver skewers, the property of Major HARRISON, of Bishop Yards, Penrith. In the afternoon of the 28th day of August, Major HARRISON’s cook placed the beef, in which were the skewers in the larder, which is situated on the opposite side of the yard to the kitchen. Some time after she missed the beef, and one of the skewers having been found in De Welpdale Lane by the servant of a neighbouring lady, information was given to the police. It appeared that the same evening the prisoner who was drunk, had offered to sell the beef in a lodging-house at the Townhead for a shilling. The prisoner, who denied all knowledge of the robbery, was committed to take her trial at the Sessions. ========================================================== barb, ontario, canada.