MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 252, 3 August 1928, Page 5

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

SERIES OF THEFTS.

OFFENCE AT MOUNT SOMERS.

TWO MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. The Ashburton Magistrate's Court sat this morning, Messrs W. H. Rundie and E. F. Nicoll, J'sP., presiding. On remand from Tuesday on a charge of hayinhg stolen property at Mount Somers the previous day, when he was arrested by Constables White and Orchard, George Adams, aged 42, was charged: (1), that on or about June 26 last, at Fairlie, he did steal one cow hide valued at £2, the property of Hugh Morrison; (2) that on or about the same date, at Fairlie, did steal one cow hide, valued at £2 10s, the property of Frederick Compton Lake; and (3) that on July 30, at Barossa, Mount Somers, he did steal one sheepskin valued at 10s, one horse cover valued at £1 ss, and wool crutchings valued at £2 10s, the property of Redmond B. Neill. There wei'e four other charges ofjheft at Fairlie. Accused pleaded guilty to all charges and elected to be dealt with summarily. Senior-Sergeant H. Martin 6aid accused was a housebreaker, and was married and had four children living at Temuka. On the charges concerning the thefts at Fairlie the Timaru police had asked that accused should be remanded to appear at Timaru. Senior-Sergt. Martin added that accused was apprehended as he was leaving Mount Somers. He kad a quantity of the stolen goods in his possession. Mr Rundlo said he did not think accused should be remanded as he had pleaded guilty to all charges. The Bench would deal with him on all the charges. The Senior Sergeant said he did not know what was in the minds of the Timaru Police in asking for the remand. , Accused said he was very sorrv he had committed the offences. Being in financial difficulties he thought it was an easy way of adding a few shillings to his income. He had now learned a lesson that would lost him all his life, and he asked for a chance to retrieve himself. The Bench said it appeared that accused had made it a systematic business. Accused was sentenced to two months' imprisonment on the charge of theft at Mount Somers and was convicted and discharged on each of the other charges.

Intfeoent Language. Charged with haying used indecent language in Burnett Street, Lawrence Arthur Wilcox, of Ashburton, pleaded guilty and elected to be dealt with summarily. Senior Sergeant Martin said accused had got into the habit of hanging round the street corners and getting into indifferent company. Last Sunday night he used bad language during a Salvation Army service on the street corner. Accused was 18 years of age. Accused was fined £1 and costs 10s, with witnesses's expenses 10s.

Threatening Language. John Tully was charged with having used threatening words, in Havelock Street, to J. H. Richardson, the Borough Inspector. Defendant pleaded not guilty. The Inspector stated that he accosted defendant, who was riding a bicycle on the footpath on Juno 17, a Sunday night. He told him to ride on the road, but defendant continued to ride on tho path. Then he went on to the road and used the language complained of. He said witness should have his neck screwed. Defendant denied having used the words. Joseph Walter Stevens said he saw defendant and the Inspector. He heard defendant toll the Inspector ho would "get his head knocked off." Constable Ward stated that he interviewed defendant, who refused to say anything about the matter. Defendant was fined £l, costs 10s, and witnesses' expenses £l.

Lightless vehicles. On a charge of having parked a car without the parking lights showing, Otta M. Friecttander was ordered to pav 12s costs'. T)n a similar charge Henry M. Copland was also ordered to pay 12s costs. On a charge of having parked a car without a light attached, John Charles Thomas was fined 10s and costs 12s. The following were charged with having ridden cj*cles at night without lights, and were each fined 5s and costs 10s:—Frederick Smith, Percival Hitchins, Harry Cox, David Hay, William Hitchins. David Watts and James Walker were each fined 10s and costs. Tho last named was also charged with not having a reflector on his cycle, and was ordered to pay costs 10s.

No Driver's Licenses. Geoffrey G. Day and James Maxwell were charged with having driven motor-cars when they did not have driver's licenses.

Day was fined £1 and costs 10s, and Maxwell was fined £1 and costs 12s.

Speeding on Bridge.

The following were charged with having exceeded the speed limit on the Ashburton Traffic Bridge, and were fined the amounts stated: D. B. Smith £2 and costs 12s 6d, M. J. Sullivan £2 and costs 14s 6d, Christopher O'Connor £2 and costs 14s 6d, Thomas Crawford £2 and costs 13s 6d.

Civil Cases. Judgment for plaintiff by default was given in each of the following cases: F. Patterson (Mr G. C: Nicoll) v W. H. Ford, £9 10s and £2 6s costs; W. H. Collins and Co. (Mr C. G. de C. Drury) v. D. Laffey, £4 8s 6d and £1 3s costs.