MAGISTERIAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8407, 8 November 1912, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBURTON—FRIDAY

(Before Mr 0. J. Harper, J.P., and Mr W. W,. White, J.P.)

Civil Cases

Judgment was given for the plaintiffs by default in the following civil cases: Thomas Bros. v. Ivanhoe Price, claim £1 18s 9d; and James Mellor v. C. E. Curry, claim £l s 8s 4d.

Theft. Helen Shepherd Copland, schoolmistress at-Ealing, aged 24 years, appeared, on remand, to answer a charge of the theft of a sum of £37 from the dwelling house of Mr Francis Forsyth, of Ealing. Mr Buchanan 1 appeared for the I accused.

i Sergeant Emerson stated that although the case was one for the Supreme Court, the Bench would have [to take the evidence bearing on the case. He called Francis Forsyth, farm labourer, residing at Ealing, who stated that he recently received two cheques of £25 each (one for himself and one for his wife), from Mr J. Withell, his employer. He gave the 1 cheques to the accusedjwho cashed them in Ashburton and brought the money'back. -Some of; the money was then used to pay accounts, and the remaining portion (£37) was put into a handbag, which was deposited in a wardrobe in his bedroom. The money was there previous to Wednesday, October, 23, but was missed on the following Friday morning, October 25. He know the accused well. He could not say whether she was in the bedroom at any time, but she had been about the house a good deal. . '„,,', By Mr Buchanan: He had known the accused for over a year. s He had always regarded, her as a straightforward young woman. Marjorie. Forsyth corroborated the statement of. the previous witness (her husband). By Mr Buchanan: It was not her wish that the accused should be severely dealt with in the matter. She was under the impression that the theft was committed under a sudden temptation.

Francis Forsyth (re-called) stated that he had been refunded the full amount of the money stolen. Henry Martin, police constable, gave evidence as to making enquiries into the theft,' and said that the accused gave a signed statement to him admitting the theft. By Mr Buchanan: She had explained that she was in Mrs Forsyth's bedroom on Thursday afternoon and saw the bag containing the money lying on the bed, and that she had taken the same on the impulse of the moment, and had intended to return it, but had felt too ashamed of herself. She also said that she had burnt £32 of tho money. This closed the evidence for the prosecution, and the accused, having pleaded guilty, was committed to the Christchurclii Supreme Court for sentence, on Monday next^ Bail was fixed at £50, in one security.