The Thames and the Windrush.

[General District News.]

WITNEY.

PETTY SESSIONS. - Thursday, Feb. 4th.

Before the Revs. W.S. Bricknell (Chairman) and R.L. Baker, and P. Southby and J.F. Mason, Esq.

thirsty tramps.

Charles Pratt and George Pratt were brought up in custody, charged with stealing a bottle of whisky of the value of 2s. 6d., the property of James Seymour, innkeeper of Eynsham.

The prisoners pleaded guilty.

James Seymour deposed - I keep a public house at Barnard Gate. On the 30th of last month I had occasion to go out of the tap-room, leaving a bottle of whisky there. I saw the defendants about. When I came back I missed the bottle of whisky, and I suspected the prisoners because they were the only strangers about. About 7 o'clock in the evening I came to Witney, and gave information to Superintendent Keal, with a description of the prisoners, and also a description of the bottle containing the whisky, and of the cork. I accompanied Sergeant Cooke to Pratley's lodging-house, Corn-street, and saw the two prisoners sitting by the fire. Sergeant Cooke made them stand up, and I recognised them as the two I saw on my premises. Pratley gave a bottle to Sergeant Cooke.- The bottle was here produced, and witness said he recognised the cork, but not the bottle, as the label was gone. It was a similar one to the bottle he lost.

John Pratley said his father kept a lodging-house in Corn-street, Witney, and on January 30th the two prisoners came there. He went down into the travellers' kitchen, and saw the prisoner George with a bottle and a cup. He saw him pour some whisky out into the cup and hand it to a woman, who drank it, and he then gave some to a man and another woman.

Sergeant Cooke said - I accompanied the prosecutor to the lodging-house, and took the prisoners into custody on the charge of stealing a bottle of whisky. They both denied taking it. The bottle was handed to me by a little girl in the lodging-house.

The prisoner Charles admitted that he stole the whisky.

The usual question was then put as to whether they would be tried there or by jury, and they both elected to be tried at once.

WITNEY.

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

These annual sports came off on Easter Monday, in Mr. Marriott's field, in the High Street.

The following is the list of events; together with the winners:-

100 Yards Flat Race (Local). 1st prize value 15s; 2 7s. 6d; 3rd 2s. 6d.

Three started in this race. Pratley took the lead but was soon overtaken by Bridgman who came in an easy first followed by Pratley.

WITNEY.

ANNUAL ATHLETIC SPORTS.

This event came off on East Monday as usual.

Programme.

100 yards flat race (local) - 1, F.W. Bridgman (a case of 12 plated spoons); 2, John Pratley, (flask), Pratley led at the start and continued to do so three parts of the distance, when Bridgman put on a sprint, and won easily. Time 11 and three-fifths seconds.

WITNEY.

PETTY SESSIONS.

march 3rd. 1898.

Before the Rev. R. Lowbridge Baker (Chairman),J.F. Staples-Browne, G.H. Dawkins, C.D. Batt, W. Smith, Esqs., and Captain Wynter.

trespassing in search of game.

Alfred Bridgman, of Worsham Mill, Asthall, labourer, and John Pratley, of Corn Street, Witney, labourer, were summoned for trespassing in the day time in search of game, at Curbridge and Ducklington, on the 19th February.

Defendants pleaded not guilty.

Mr. Rigden prosecuted, and having stated the case called

Walter Coster, Gamekeeper to Mr. Dormer, living at Barley Park, who deposed: On the 19th February I was taking a round on Mr. Dormer's land. Between 3 and 4 o'clock I saw defendants going up the Lew Lane. They went first on to Mr. Spencer's land, and then on to Mr. Dormer's land. I saw them going down the hedge of Mr. Dormer's boundary. Bridgeman was on Mr. Dormer's side, and Pratley and two other men were on the other side of the ditch on Mr. Townsend's land. They were all walking close to the hedge and the dogs were beating down the hedge. They had been doing so all the afternoon. Presently a rabbit came out of the hedge, and the dogs caught it. I then ran towards them and they ran away. I got to within ten or fifteen yards of Bridgeman. I spoke to Bridgman; I told him I knew him. I also recognised Pratley. The dogs picked up the rabbit and ran away with it. I stopped running, and came to Witney and informed the police.

By Bridgman: I did not try to catch you, as I knew you.

By Pratley: You put the dogs on to the rabbit. I was not a quarter of a mile away. I was about 100 yards from you when you started running.

By the Bech: I was concealed till the dogs caught the rabbit.

P.S. Dickenson deposed: From information received I went down the Springs on the day in question, at 6 o'clock, and saw the two defendants and two other men, Pratley was about 15 yards in front of Bridgman. I searched them both, and they had nothing on them. They had two lurcher dogs with them. They were coming from the direction of Curbridge.

Joseph Brookings, labourer, of Witney, deposed: On the 20th of February I was down the Springs, and saw some boys pick up two rabbits. I took them home and had them for dinner. That was in Ducklington road, about 150 yards from the Springs. I told the Sergeant that I saw some boys playing with a rabbit in the Springs. I also stated that I took the rabbit home, and that a boy named Woodley found another rabbit in the Ducklington road.

Sergeant Dickenson, re-called, deposed that last witness told me that he saw some boys playing with a rabbit, and also a boy named Woodley picked one up. He said the rabbit was picked up in the Springs, about 15 yards from Ducklington Lane.

Joseph Brookings (re-called) stated that he did not tell the Sergeant that he saw the rabbits in the Springs.

Bridgman said he was sorry he was in the field, and he hoped the Bench would deal with him leniently. He meant to get rid of the dog.

Pratley stated that they were in the field but did not set the dogs on to the rabbit.

Supt. Cook put in a list of previous convictions against both defendants.

The Chairman said the Bench think that you make poaching your trade by keeping these dogs.

Fined 15s. each, or 14 days.