TIMARU AND SOUTH CANTERBURY NEWS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19986, 22 July 1930, Page 4

TIMARU AND SOUTH CANTERBURY NEWS.

TIMARU.

ALLEGED THEFT At tlic Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon before Air C. It. Orr Walker, S.M., Alexander James Ciurton (Mr G. J. Walker) appeared on remand, and pleaded guilty to a charge that at Christchurch on January 4th last ho stolo a motor-car valued at £49, the property of Jeffrey Allan Lash, of Waimate.

Senior-Sergeant I. 11. Mntlucson said that on December 19th last the accused had bought a second-hand motor-car from Lash, who was a motor dealer at Waimato. Ho had paid a deposit of £5 and signed a hire-purchase agreement. Accused travelled about tlio country considerably and got behind with his payments. He then exchanged the car for another second-hand car at Royds Bros., Ltd., motor dealers, of Christchurch. Mr Walker said that accused thought he had some rights over the car. Ho had had a few drinks before he made the transaction with lJoyds Bros. No ouo had lost anything aud ho had put new tyres on the car, which he had purchased in Waimate. Both cars were still at lioyils Bros.' garage. The Magistrate said that although accused had commit ted offences previously he would give him a last opportunity to make good. He would bo ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within twelve months. Accused was also ordered to take out a prohibition o rde r. Idle and Disorderly.

Leonard Stanley Dunford, alias Leonard Stanley Duncan, aged 28 years, and George Garner, alias Gardiner, alias Thompson, aljas Lumbers, alias Joseph Garnet, aged 45 years, who wero said to bo two Christchurch showmen, appeared on remuud 011 a joint charge that at Timaru on July 18th, they stole £lB, the property of Morgan Scyb. Detective L. Studholme said that the polico would withdraw tho theft chargo and would charge tho accused with being idle and disorderly in that they had insufficient lawful means of support. The accused had met a young man from tho country and had had a few drinks with him in an hotel. They had then adjourned to a privato room, where they had relieved him of £lB, by tho well-known three-card trick. They wero well known to the police and had been living by their wits. The Magistrate remarked that Dunford did not appear to havo as many previous convictions as Garner. Garner was sentenced to throo months' imprisonment, and Dunford to two months' imprisonment. raise Pretences. Robert Charles Stuart, aged 37 years, was charged that, at Timaru, on February 7th, with intent to defraud, he obtained £lO, and that 011 February 17th, ho obtained £2O from Arthur George llill, by falsely representing that he had sold a farm down south, and was getting paid £BO for improvements, through tho National Mortgage and Agency Co., Ltd., Timaru. He was further charged with breaking his probation order. Accused, who was represented by Mr G. J. Walker, pleaded guilty to the three charges. Detcctivo L. Studholme said that accused had obtained the money by tho method described in the charges. Ho had been admitted to two years' probation on a falso pretences charge at Christchurch on November 25th last, and since then he had lived on tho proceeds of fraud. Mr Walker said that it was difficult to find any excuse. Tho first offence in Timaru arose out of accused's neod for money in order to pay his wife's medical expenses. Of tho £lO, he had received he had paid £9 10s hospital fres. With regard to the second chargo he had not obtained tho £2O in one sum, but in small amounts at various times. Tie was a married man with two children. Accused was a fully qualified chemist. Ho had had sovero war injuries. Counsel asked for a further chance for accused, who had work to go to in tho country. The Magistrate: A term of probation is generally looked upon as a poriod of suspended punishment, during which an accused person is given a chanco to make good. Accused has had cvory opportunity; I seo his namo was suppressed at the time of the offence in Christchurch.

Tho Probation Officer (Mr 0. McKessar) said that tho £ls which accused liad borrowed from a woman in Christchurch had not been paid. On Thursday last ho had scon accused badly intoxicated, and had taken him from an hotel and sent him homo.

Tho accused pleaded for another clianco.

The Magistrate: You havo already had a chancel Your offence must havo been serious if you were admitted to two years' probation. Accused: I can get work in tho country. I will endeavour to make repayment and also assist my wife. As tho baby is only four months old, my wife could not go out and work if I am imprisoned. The accused was remanded for sentence till Thursday next, in order to secure further information in connexion with the Christchurch offence. Inter-Provincial Rugby. Tho following team will represent South Canterbury in the match against Wanganui, to bo played at Eraser Park to-morrow: — Connolly (captain), Trotter, W. Neutze, Wilkes, Blyth, Gaffaney, Roper, Simmers, Giddings, Adkins, J. Callanan, Phillips, F. Stevenson, D. Callanan, F. Shewan. Reserves: Backs—Murray, Mahan, Brown; forwards—Columb, J. Connolly, E. O'Sullivan. Strang and Coxhead are not available. PLEASANT POINT. Tho cold night affected tho attendance at the monthly meeting of the Pleasant Point "Y" Union branch, with the result that there wero only forty members and well-wishers present. During tho evening items were given by Mrs Bishop and Mr F. Chisholm. It was decided to make a presentation" to Miss A. Miller, who is to bo married shortly.

TEMUKA.

Another successful dance was lield at Milford. The liall was prettily decorated. A Tima.ru orchestra provided the dance music, and extras were played by Miss E. McGarva. A lucky spot waltz was won by Miss H. Meredith and Mr 11. Palmer, and the Monto Carlo by Miss M. Patrick and Mr It. Meredith. A waltzing competition was judged by Mr It. Martin and the first prizo went to Miss C. Roddick and' Mr W. MeCully, and second to Miss E. McGarva and Mr W. Sceler. Mr W Seeler was M.C. Mr W. A. Strang left Temuka on Saturday for Auckland, to join the players selected to take part in trials for tlio third Test. A very pleasant time was sj>ent at tlio Clandeooye Hall, the occasion being: a gift evening to Miss Highet, in view of her approaching marriage. Dancing occupied the major portion of the evenincr. Mr W. H. Staniland referred to thr- help Miss Highet had eiven to tho district as a member of. the Tennis and Basketball Clubs, and more especially in tho work of the Sunday School and Church. Ho wished Miss Hi",lift everv happiness in her married life Mr Craig also snoko. and on behalf of tlio Sunday School and malingers of tho church, Mr Dunn tluuiked Miss Hirrhct for tho keen interest nlw> had taken in both institutionl;. Mr Staniland. on behalf of the residents, then asked Miss Hi "-hot's accent"nee of fiff« as a mark of their appreciation. Mr Watts replied on behalf of Miss Highet. RANGITATA. A very successful hare drive was held at Rangitata to augment tho funds of tlio Rangitata Rifle Club. Visitors were present from all over tho district, including many from Timaru, Temuka, and Geraldinc. A largo tract of ground was shot over, about CO guns taking part. Tho shoot resulted in tho very satisfactory total of 300 hares. Rangltata ladies provided lunch at tho Rangitata Hall, .and afternoon tea later on at tlio residence of Messrs McNab Bros'. Father Peoples thanked tho ladies for their land attention, and all who had helped to make tho drive such a success. Three hearty cheers were given for tho ladies. A friendly match between teams from Rangitata and Rangitata Island was fired on the Rangitata Island range and resulted in a win for the homo team. Tho tragic death of Mr Searles, of Levels, came as a great shock to many Rangitata residents. Mr Searles was Well known in this district. Much sympathy is felt for his widow.

WAIMATE. Tho death is announced, from Palmerston North, of Alexander Watt, an old colonist, who at 0110 timo was in business in Waimate. Mr Watt was eighty years of ago at the timo of his death. Mrs H. A twill, Mill road, is visiting her daughter, Mrs lies, of Christchurch. Mr T. L. Hayman (Willowbridge) put up a fine performance in the double-furrow ploughing, open, at the Pnpakaio match on Saturday. He won iho cup given in this class and was also placed first for straightest ploughing.