Mistaken Identity: George Coniam and Alfred Steer, labourers of Bovey Tracey were charged with a similar offence on the 13th November: Mr. Boxall prosecuted; Mr. Templar defended. Steer did not attend, and it was stated that he was gone to Bristol to work on the Severn Tunnel. William Lock stated that the defendants were in his master’s plantation watching a rabbit burrow when he saw them. After watching them for some time he made a movement that disturbed them, and they ran away. Steer threw away a ferret bag, which the witness picked up and he then went to the burrow and took out the ferret produced, and also a rabbit … (defense of mistaken identity) … John Pinsent of Bovey, who had been working at the Severn Tunnel, was at his lodgings when Steer arrived about half past eight on Tuesday night. He left to come back to Bovey on Friday morning, and Steer was still there; he had not been served with a summons. The Bench thought the plea of mistaken identity fully established and dismissed the case. Mr. Templar applied under the circumstances that the defendants should be allowed his costs for the witnesses. This was granted – 12s being allowed.
Rural Authority until the hospital projected by the Urban Authority should have been completed, provided satisfactory terms could be agreed upon. After some discussion the correspondence was referred to the Hospital Committee, with instructions to report to the Board.
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0511 Bristol: John Pinsent: 1823 – 1902 (?)