MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 318, 3 October 1908, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

j! ..... POLICE CASES. v | ■ (Before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M.) j INSUFFICIENT MEANS. John -Pyko appeared on- remand 011; a charge of being an/idle and'disorderly person within the meaning of the Police Offences Act, 1908, in that he had insufficient lawful means of support. • V ;: . ' - Sub-Inspector Phair stated that inquiries rnado by the police as to a'-statement-made! byi accused .when' he--.wasebefOre -the -Court earlier in the week to the<effpct 'tba't lie had an interest,in a property-in Hill Street had proved to.. bo although the accused's wife had at one time been interested in the property.. A sentence of ono month's' imprisonment was imposed. ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES. Basil Gordon M'Elwain and John Barrett appeared in answer to a charge of haying, on'. September 26, at Wellington, obtained of'and from ono Barbara Dixon the sum of £2 10s. by means of'false pretcnces, to wit, a valueless chequo, with intent to defraud. Mr. Jackson appeared , for Barrett, who. pleaded not guilty, and was remanded. until. Mbnday, bail being allowed in . the . sum of £20 and 1 ' one.' surety''-of. : £20.'-, ,OM'-Elwain .pleaded guilty, and was remanded 'until Monday for sentence. , . IDLE AND DISORDERLY. A young man named John Black pleaded guilty to a charge of being'an idle and disorderly person within the-meaning of the Police Offences Act, 1903, in that ho habitu-. ally consorted with, reputed thieves. Chief Detectivo ll'Gratli stated that accused had been in' Wellington for about a month, and had been constantly in the company of reputed thieves. A sentence of three months' imprisonment was imposed. Norman Brazier, alias Eraser, similarly charged, also pleaded guilty.' A sentence of tlireo months' imprisonment was entered. "Michael. O'Brien also appeared in• answer to a like charge, to the previous two men, and also pleaded guilty, but asked. for a chance, as., ho had only, just como to town with his' cheque, after spending twenty months in tho King Country. In this case also a sentence of three months imprisonment was imposed. William Stevens appeared on remand on'a charge of being an idle and disorderly person within the meaning of the Police Oifences Act, 1908, ■ in that he habitually consorted with reputed thieves. On the application of Mr. P. W. Jackson a further remand was granted until < Wednesday- next on the. same bail as before, £10 and one surety of £10. A PECULIAR THEFT. A married woman named Ada Whito appeared on remand on a chargo of having, oil or about August 14, at Wellington, stolen ■various articles of ladies' clothing of a total valuo of £4, the property of Annio Broen. Mr. Toogood appeared for defendant, who pleaded not guilty. Evidence showed that informant had been living with defendant in Wellington, but she went away to Wanganui, leaving the articles in tho house. Whilst informant was away, defendant niovod to'Petone, and, it was stated, took tho . clothes with tho rest of tho furniture, and' advised informant' that slio could have' the. clothes whenever she came, out to see defendant. Informant denied this. His Worship considered that on tho. evidonco defendant must be convicted, and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. ..SUNDAY TRADING. Noil Austin pleaded not guilty to a chargo of having, oil September 20, kepi his shop -open for-tho purpose of transacting business! lOvide'nco was given by two police constables that they' went into- defendant's shop and purchased cigarettes and some refreshments. Defendant denied having sold the cigarettes, and said that the persons seen going into the shop by the policemen wero boarders from his boarding-house, away from tho shop, who I had to go through the shop for their mo&ls.

Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared for defendant, who was convicted and fined'2os.J and:-costs 75.; in default seven days' imprisonment. MISCELLANEOUS. Sarah Fallon wag charged on twoinforma« tions with having entered licensed premises during the currency of a prohibition order. A conviction and Quo of 205., and costs 75., in default seven days' imprisonment, was entered in each case. Mr. Cook appeared for defendant. A charge against John Ernest Price of haying, on September 24, stolen one sovereign, the property of the Drapery and General Importing Company of New Zealand,, Ltd., was adjourned until October 5. Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared for defendant. A young man named Denis William Quill, an engineer's, apprentice, pleaded guilty to a chargo of indecency in Victoria Street, and was convicted and fined,£s, in. default 21 days' imprisonment. Mr.' Devine appeared •for accused. . , Six. first offenders for drunkenness were [ dealt with. One'was fined 10s., four were fined 55.,' and one was convicted and cischarge'd. MOUNT COOK POLICE COURTAt the Mount Cook Police Court yester« day morning, ■ before Mr. ,J. Coogan,. J.P., threo. first'offenders for drunkenness were convicted.aijd discharged .