MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 282, 21 August 1908, Page 4

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

rOL].QE v CASES

(Before Dr. A. M'Arthur, S.M.) 1

TROUBLE Otf THE HIGH SEAS.'

A FIREMAN PLACED IN IRONS,

>''A, youthful looking- fireman named Georgo . S&villo,^belonging-tft.-.tlio .steampr .Warrimoo, pleaded guilty to having, while on tho voyage ' from .to Wellington; unlawfully assaulted Alex. -'Coull, Reid in tho '• Stokehold of tho v-essel.

,Sub-Inspector Pliair informed the Court that: on ; August 15 accused refused to go on writcli when instructed to do so. ..He subsequently went into the stoke-hold, and was "told to turn to, jiut instead of wanting work .he wanted, to fight. Mr. Reid, tho fourth, engineer, went up on deck, but was recalled to the stoke-hold as troublo was brewing. Accused again refused to turn to, 'and struck complainant twice, once on tho temple and again on the jaw.. Accused was socurcd and placed in irons, ..and handed over to the police on tho arrival of the vessel. Accused,' who said he remembered nothing of the occurrence; stated that ho had been supplied with drink by a passenger. His :■ iWorship' characterised the offence as an exceedingly serious one, and warnod accused that ho was lialilo to six months' imprisonment'for what lie had done. " A sentence, .of fourteen days' imprisonment would bp imposed, 'and accused would also have to pay costs 7s. THEFTS FROM A BOARDINGHOUSE. • Norman Gnstavus Hall, alias E. G. Smith, was charged (1) with having, on or about August ,15, at Wellington,, committed, theft of three blankets of a,total value of 255., the property of Emma Spiller, and (2) with having,. pn .or ..about' Juno 17, at Wellington, committed 'theft of an overcoat valued at £3 35., the .property of J. 11. Howitt. Dofehdant pleaded guilty to both charges.' ' - 1 Chief D.et-ectivo. l M'Gratn informed'.,.the Court that'accused'had been employed as.-a kitchonman -at Waitangi boardingiiouso-in June last, and then stole the overcoat. Ho left this employment, but went back to it this month, •'and "departed "with tho three blankots. • Both, tho coat and tho blankets were sold to dealers. Tlioro were a number of preyiou.s, convictions against, accused, who had'' been-sentencedto' about 21' years' imprisonment altogether. Accused had been sleeping out at night of >to, and would, in the opinion of the Chief Detective, be better oft; in gaol.'

A sentence of one month's imprisonment was imposed on tho first charge, and a sentcnco ottlireo mojiths' on-tho second charge. The articles' were; ordered to be returned' to tho owners-on their paying- tho amounts advanced by tho dealers.

MISCHIEF.. A man named Josoph Lea pleaded guilty to having,, on- .August 19, committed mischief by, breaking .' three panes of -glass of a total value of 15s.j r the property of Frank Myer Solomon. It was stated by'the police tliat accused went to a certain house, and deliberately put his fist throu2h:j two windows and threw a turnip through another window. According to Sub-Inspector Phair, • accused was one of those men who did not scorn to bo able to riin straight—drink appeared to .h'avo got a complete hold of kiiii"'" His wife was a hardworking woman, and ,'had given him every chance. .Accused, who appeared in the dock with two undeniable black eyes, said family troubles had,driven him to his present position. •His Worship: You are a downright coward when you say that. You ought to meet someone who would 'take it out of- your hide. . ~..... : ' |A conviction and fino of 405., in default fourteen days' imprisonment, was imposed. Accused was also ordered to make, good tho damage done. MISCELLANEOUS. A middle-aged man named Chas, Jackson, who said he.'had'been a seaman and a wharf labourer, was scntenccd to fourteen days' imprisonment on a charge of indecency m Dixon Street." ' • : Ono first • offender _ for drunkenness was convicted and discharged.