LAW REPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 28, 28 October 1907, Page 6

LAW REPORTS.

MAGISTRATE'S COURT. ■ ' .(Before Mr. Riddell, S.M.) -.-" ' POLICE CASES. ■ Two first-offending inebriates appeared at the Magistrate's Court on Saturday morning. Ono was fined os., in default 24 hours imprisonment, and the other was remanded until Friday next for medical treatment. Mary AVilson, alias M'Girr, was fined 205., in default; throe days' imprisonment, for drunkenness in Ingestro Street. ; A PROHIBITION ORDER. A prohibition order was issued Mary E. Smith, on the application ot her husband. ' .

ROMANCE OP GAOL LIFE. ■ A FRIEND IN NEED. Thoro was more than a smattering of romance in the case of Walter. Henry. Marsdon, who was romauded from Friday for sentence on a charge of the theft of various articles, valued at £5 ISs. 9d., tho property of. a fellow-lodger, in whoso room he had slopt for a night. When tho case was heard on Friday, it'was stated by the police that accused had only recently como out of gaol. Tho young fellow was standing disconsolately in the'dock with apparently no friends in tho world to interest themselves m Ills' fato, when suddenly a young man—a distant relative of accused's, who had met him in gaol, and who had loft London in opposition to his parents'.wishes —'came forward and offered his kinsman a third-class ticket to London, which ho had taken out for-him-self. Witness stated that if His Worship would deal leniently with accused, ho (witness) would hand over the ticket and work his own passage Home. It was also stated that a former employer of accused would be willing to give him employment until the steamer sailed.- At this stage the case was adjourned to allow the police to make enquiries. When accused was brought forward tor sentonce on Saturday morning, Chief-Detec-tive M'Grath stated that tho man who had employed accused would not undertake to omploy him again. When His commenced to announce his decision, the friend in need stepped forward again and pleaded feelingly for defendant. Ho informed His Worship that his people; who were publicans at Home, wished him to rqturn to England, and, if the Court would give the opportunity, he would guaranteo that accused would'leave the Dominion with him. Ho would undertake to pay defendant's board until tho steamer left, would refund the money, owing, and would do anything rather than see accused go back to gaol again ' Ho would go to prison himsqlf in place of accused. Hitness was confidont that Marsden would go straight if tho v Court would ,ouly givo him this last chanco. . His Worship said that, under tho circumstances, it would ho impossible to givo accused the chance he would havo been prepared to givo if everything had boon found favourable His friend was willing toi help him, but defendant must ho penalised, although he would bo out agam in time to-en-able hfs friend to keep his promise if he wished to do so. Defendant would bo convicted, and sentenced to twplvo; days imprisonment: His Worship, gave'- defendant some sound advice, and warnwlhim that .unless lie wished to reform all tho assistance other people could put in his way would do no good. ■> ' ,

No cases wero heard in tho Supremo Court on Saturday, and so far nono have been sol down.for hearing to-day.