MAGISTRATE S COURT.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13005, 6 January 1908, Page 3

MAGISTRATE S COURT.

Mr H. W. Bishop presided at tihe Magistrate's Court on Saturday. A seaman, belonging to one of the naval vessels now Tying at Lyttelton, was convicted of drunkenness on the railway station, and discharged on condition that tho authorities immediately took charge of him. Henry Jones, for disorderly behaviour while drunk, was fined 20s, in default 48 hours. James Phillips, a second offender, was fined 10s and costs. Patrick Butler was fined 10s, in default 48 hours, for 'drunkenness, and •lOs.- iii'default one mouth, for N-ertcb of a prohibition order. Arthur Harker (Mr Johnston) plead ed guilty to stealing one case of glass and a quantity of timber, valued a* £6 15s, the property of "Williams, St* phens and Company. Mr Johnston suid defendant was newly marriedj and was building a shed at .tihe reax of his house. Hie was em»loyed by a firm of timber mer chants, and evidently could not r« sist tho temptation to take the necessary material. He had never been in trouble before, and had excellent tcsti monkils in his possesion. The Magistrate imposed a fine of 40s and costs. Wm. Francis OLliver was charged with entering licensed premises during the currency of a prohibition order and was discharged. Chas. lUcbord Burney, alias Bad dington, pleaded guilty to three charges of obtari.niug money by means _«f false pretences. Chiief Detective Ghrystiail said that accused was at present undergoing a sentence ol twelve mouths for forger} - . The Magistrate imposed a sentence of six months on each charge, the terms to run concurrently, and to commence at the expiration of the eenitence accused was now serving. A CHARGE OF THEFT. Wm. Brydon was charged with stealing 4s iroin JGmaniuel Cunio on Friday evening. Cunio, who was 3 seaman on H.M.S. Powerful, stated that in com.pany with a fellow-sailor ond accused ho visited the United Service Hotel. Accused produced a greenstone heart, and offered to sell it to him for 4s. Witness, after putting his hand in his pocket, drew out Bs, and simultaneous ly accused made a grab at the money which scattered in all directions. Hayes, tho other seaman, appealed t< accused to give back the money, bui as he would not hand it oyer to wit ness, he punched him. This no doub accounted for Brydon's black eye. Hayes stated * that when Brydoi snatched tho money he pointed out t.< him that that was not the proper wa. to treat his chum, and as he refuse* to refund the money or give Cunio tin heart he struck him. Witness war perfectly sober at the time. Vernon Hutton, who was presen - during the trouble, gave similar cvi dence. The accused seemed muddled, but Hayes was sol>er. Mr Donnelly, who appeared for accused, said that theft had not been proved, as it was all done mediani rally, and in the sight of all the peopl in the bar. Tho accused was drunk.' and he submitted that should be takw; into consideration. Tho Magistrate took this view, on* 1 dismissed the case.