Preece Family Tree

STEALING FROM A LODGINGHOUSE. - Mary Ann Fielding, a married woman, was charged with having stolen a blanket and a sheet, value 5s, from a woman named Ellen Rodmore, a lodginghouse-keeper, residing in Havant-street, Portsea. Prisoner, with her husband, went to lodge with the complainant in the beginning of June, engaging one furnished room, for which 3s a week was charged. On the 9th of the same month the prisoner left her room, locked the door, took the key with her, and never returned. A few days after the complainant obtained a duplicate key and effected an entrance into the room, when she found an under blanket and a top sheet had been taken away. Nothing was seen or heard of the prisoner until she was seen by the complainant at the Portsea Island Union in the following month. She then gave up the key, said where she had disposed of the blanket, but did not know where she pledged the sheet. She expressed herself sorry for the offence, and said she would "make all right." Sentenced to twenty-one days' imprisonment with hard labour.