MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11753, 30 November 1903, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Mr W. R. Hoaelden, 6i_u, occupied the Bench at tbe Magistrate's Court on Saturday. DIIUNKBNNESS. One first offender, charged with drunkenness, was fined 5s and costs, and John Kinley, charged with habitue, drunkenness, was sentenced to fourteen days' hard labOTr ' ALLEGED TSUT. Julius Koenig, for whom Mr Byrne appeared, pleaded "Not guilty" to tbe charge of stealing a cheque for £14, from tbe office of P. t)'.' Kesteveo, Chancery Lone. Evidence was given by Mr Keateven that tbe cheque was taken from his office between 10 and 10.30 o'clock on November 25th. It was shown that the cheque without Mr F.. Wilding's signature, would not be negotiable. After hearing ths whole of tlie evidence and accuseds absolute denial of the theft, his Worship dismissed the case, commenting on the highly improbable story told by tho principal witness for the prosecution.

At Lytteiton on Saturday, before Messrs G. Lauremton and S. R. Webb, J.P.s, W. Lrosell and T. Wbrttaker, firemen on the Zealandia, were charged by Captain Wyllie with combining to impede tbe navigation of the steamer. LihseU was also charged with drunkenness, using obscene language, and assaulting the second engineer. Whittaker was also charged with drunkenness and assaulting the chief engineer. Captain Wyllie urged tbe seriousness of the offence committed on the steamer, and the Bench fined eacb of the accused £5, with the alternative of a month's imprisonment, for the assault, and 20s, with cos-, or 48 hours, for drunkenness. The charge of combining to impede the navigation of the steamer Was dqmissed, and Lin-—1 was convicted and discharged an tbe accusation of using obscene language.