THE COURTS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18185, 23 September 1924, Page 5

THE COURTS.

MAGISTERIAL. MONDAY. |.Bc:\>:-o Mr "Wyvcrn "Wilson, S.M.) i DRUXEEXNESS. Two first offenders, a man and * woman, who did not appear, were each fined 10s. in default <tS hours' imprisonment. Auot&cr. who pleaded guilty, was fined ss. in default 24 hours imprisonment. John Itobert Ilallid&y, for his second offence, within sis months, wis fined 20s, in default 48 hours' imprisonment, and Darid Bede Reidy, also a; second offender, waa fined 10s, in default 4S hours' imprisonment. NOT A "PRACTICAL JOKE," Allan Thomas Leathern, aged 19 years, and Eric Matthew Pirie, aged 22 years, were jointly charged that, on the 20 th inst., they stole part of a tin of petrol, Talued at 13s, tho property of some person unknown. Sub-Inspector Cameron said that on Saturday night Leathern was riding a motorcycle, and Pirie a. push bicycle, along 1 Moorhouse avenue. They eaw a car itandhig by tho eide of the road, and a petrol tin on tho footpath. Th«v drained tho petrol tank o£ the car into tho tin and made 015 with it. Their action hsd been observed, and both, when arrested, admitted the theft. Leathern had been before the Court in May last for wilful damage and wilfully giving a false, fire alarm. His employer, a plumber, epoke well of him. Ho was a well-known cyclist. Pirio had not been "before the Court before. Mr 11. Twyneham, who appeared for Pirie, explained that tho men had met accidentally at a pie-cart on Saturday night. They considered, their action was a practical joke. Tho Magistrate said ticy had committed a' mean pettv theft, which could not be reI garded as a" practical joke. They would each be convicted and admitted to probation for two years, on tho condition that they paid 2s 6d each witnosaee' expenses.