BURFORD.

BAMPTON WEST PETTY SESSIONS.

Saturday.

Before the Right Hon. Lord de Mauley, W.H. Fox, Esq., and E.R. Wingfield, Esq.

Trespass.

Charles Pratley, late inn-keeper of the "Mason's Arms", of Fulbrook, was summoned by Richard Miles, of Widford, game-keeper to A.B. Freeman Mitford, Esq., of Moreton-in-Marsh, for trespassing on land in search of game at the Parish of Swinbrook, on Monday, January 30th. From the evidence of the complainant it would appear that on Saturday, January 28th, he found 3 wires set on "Hanley Plain," in the parish of Swinbrook, on land in the occupation of Mr. Williams. He watched the wires on Sunday morning and knocked them down; he found them set up again the same evening, and again knocked them down. On the following Monday, about 4 o'clock a.m., witness went again to the spot, and found a hare in one of the wires; he watched till about 7-30 and saw the defendant come down the road which goes over the plain; he came through the gate, and as soon as he was through the gate he left the road and went straight to the hare. Defendant took the are out of the wire, and put it in his pocket. He was stooping down again as if in the act of re-setting the wire when witness went up to him and said "you got her, have you." He replied "I saw something, but I did not know what it was," and hoped witness would not say anything about it; he said he would consider. There were bushes in the way to prevent the defendant seeing the hare from the road. Witness took the hare from defendant but it was dead when he found it. Convicted and fined 1s., and costs 10s., in default 14 days. The amounts were paid forthwith.

This was the only summons returnable at this sessions. A transfer of the licence of the "Mason's Arms", Fulbrook, was granted to Frederick Merchant.

WITNEY.

PETTY SESSIONS.

july 16th.

Before Rev. R.L. Baker (Chairman) P. Southby, F.J. Staples-Browne, and C. Early Esqs. and Capt. Wynter.

wife desertion.

Charles Pratley, of Fulbrook, was charged with leaving his wife chargeable to the Guardians of the Witney Union.

Defendant pleaded not guilty.

William Job Clarke, relieving officer, for the Burford district of the Witney Union, deposed: Ann Pratley, has become chargeable to the Guardians of the Witney Union. The defendant is a woodman, this is his second wife; there are children on both sides.

Defendant said his wife left him without any reason whatever. She left him three times, and came back twice; the third time she said she had plenty to keep her.

The Chairman: How long have you been living at Fulbrook?

Defendant: About 10 years. I wish I had never seen it.

The Chairman: You will have to pay £2 4s. 0d. and is 4s. a week.

Defendant: I shall not pay that. I will go to prison.

The Chairman: Now don't be obstinate, you pay it.

Defendant: How is anybody to pay it, when he can't.

The Chairman: If you don't you will have to go to prison.

Defendant: Well I never have been to prison, but I wil go rather than pay that.

The Chairman: Look here, the Magistrates want to help you as much as they can. You must pay £1 in the course of a fortnight, and contribute 2s. 6d. per week towards your wife's support.

Defendant: I cannot do it sir.

The Chairman: Well, that is the best we can do for you. We shall have to send you to prison if you don't pay.

Defendant: I shall not pay 2s. 6d. a week.

The Chairman: We will talk about that another time.

The defendant paid the £1, but left the Court declaring he would not pay 2s. 6d. a week.