MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12867, 27 July 1907, Page 6

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Measre H. A. Brtice, J.P., and W. H. Bowen, J.P.) George William Groen, charged with being found helplessJv drunk, wae remanded yesterday for one week, for medical treatment. John Sheehan, c young man, wa* charged with stealing £1 Iβ, the property of William Clay. Detective Bishop eaid Sheehan had received from" Clay a cheque for £1 Is, as a donation to a football club, of which accused was a member. Accused cashed the cheque, and spent the money. He had but lately come over from Austmlia, but had already been frequently seen in Chrietchurch with "undesirables," and he bore • bad character. The Bench tound the explanation given by accused unconvincing, and inflicted the maximum penalty of three months' imprisonment. ALLEGED THEFT. John Goran wae charged with stealing £17 8s 6d, and a gold eoarf pin, from Anthony Thomas Drake, at Christchurch, on July 2oth. Accused elected to be tried by a jury. Anthony Thoinae Drake said he came from Kurow « lew days ago. He went to stay at a Ix-urding-house iv tit. Asaph street ou Wednesday lasf. Ho went to bed between seven and eight o'clock. He had then £17 18e 6d on him in notes and silver, in a pocketbook, and a gold scarf pin. When he rose next morning, between seven and eight, tho money and the pin were gone. He sew the accused at the door before he got up, and accused spoke to him. There was another man in the room at the time. During tho night witness heard tho other man tell someone to get out of the room. Witness identified the pin produced as his. Selina Parker, a young woman who was staying at Mrs Knight's boardinghouse- in St. A&aph street, said she had noticed the pin stuck under the collar of accused's coat, and gave it to Detective Kennedy. Goran told her he never saw it before. Annie Gairett a young woman employed at the boardinghouse, eaid when accused paid her for hie breakfast h< pulled out three or four notes and some eilver. Detective. Kennedy related the oircunistanoee of the arrest of accused Witness and Detective Conrwfll went to the boardinghouse from which the theft was reported. Thoy searched accuw-d and his room. The girl Parker gave witness the pin, and when witness showed it to accused, tho latter said ho had given it to her. He was thoi; charged with the present offence. Witness had seen accused in the street with c man known to be a criminal. Witness had known accused for five months, during which time ho had done !.o work. Detective Oonnell oo£roborated the previous witness's evidence. Accused had said the silver in his possession had been given him !>y Selina -Parker, and he denied having any notes. Accused said that when be camo out of Lyttelton Gaol hie mother paid his fare to go to Dunodin. Witness found a railway ticket for Dunedin in poa&easion of accused. Accused admitted to Selina Parker, in the presence of witness, that she had taken the pin out of hie coat. Accused, who pleaded not guilty and reserved his defence, was committed to tho Supreme Court for trial. (Before Mr H. W. Bishop BM.) Thomaa Manion, for broach of a prohibition order, was fined 40s, or in default, ' one month's imprisonment. The /ame accused was convioted on a charge of drunkenness, and ordered to pay costs, in default 24 hours' imprisonment.