THE COURTS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15243, 3 April 1915, Page 3

THE COURTS.

MAGISTERIAL.

(Before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M.) DRUNKENNESS. For drunkenness two first offenders were each fined os, in default 21 hours' imprisonment. THEFT. Thomas Wm. Scott pleaded guilty to a charge or stealing, at Lyttolton, on March ISth, 12 drums of oil, valued at £12, and a bundle of copper fods, valued at £5, the property of the Shaw, Savill and Alhion Company. Sub-inspector Hastio said Scott had been boatswain's mate on tho steamer Tainui, and on March 18th he took tho oil and copper from the ship and handed them over to another man. They were goods that had been over-carried at Dunedin. Tho Magistrate enquired -whether there were not others to bo charged iv connexion with tho theft of this material. Sub-inspector Hastio said that thero were two other men who had been charged with theft, and two more with' receiving tho stolen goods. _ These cases had been adjourned till Wednesday next at Lyttelton. It wa s understood that a plea of not guilty would be entered by the other accused. His AVorship said that all the cases should be brought to Christchurch for hearine, as it would have an effect upon the sentence ho would inflict upon Scott when ho knew what attitude he had taken up in regard to giving evidence. *-. Accused was remanded till Wednesday next for sentence. Tho police aro to arrange for the removal of tho hearing of the other cases to Christchurch. CIVIL CASES. Judgment for tho plaintiff by default with costs was given in each of tho following cases:—J. Lamb and Sons v. Svlvanus Cox, £9 ss; Harvey Patterson v. Matilda Dawson, £11 10s; R-. Truman v. .fames Willyams, £1; samo v. Robert Willyams, £17s 6d; Atlas Biscuit Company v. Leslio Gardner £9 18s (xl; snmo v. Jane H. Buxton, £1 3s 7d; Trent Bros. v. T. Strange, £2 9s Id; Thornton and Rickard v. Donald Owen. £5 fa; Bowron Bros.' Export and Trading Co. v. W. H. Booth, £3 lGs Gd: W. Strang© and Co. v. Albert _. Thomas. .€1 9s Gd; Vincent and Co. v. I<\ Burt, £1 lis; N.Z. Piano Co. v. Jumes Strickland, £6 12s. DISPUTED CHATTEL SECURITY.. F. D. Kesteven (Mr T. W. Rowe) sued H.Coupland (Mr M. Donnelly) for £1, claimed as four months' interest on a loan of £7 10s. Defendant was an elderly spinster, who gavo security over a piano for £7 10s to R. T. Leathern, lately practising as a solicitor, in consideration of money expended in carrying out work sho nad placed in his hands. Sho alleged that that socuritv was given *to Leathern alone, and he was to keep it in his safe. Tho document produced in Court with defendant's signaturo to it was in favour of F. D. Kesteven. Defendant denied ever signing "this paper, and said that she told Leathern that sho would have nothing to do with Kesteven. Judgment was for defendant, and no order was mado as to costs.