MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 338, 27 October 1908, Page 4

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

POLICE CASES. (Before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M.)_ . THEFT OF BOOKS. Win. Albert Parker, wharf labourer, appeared on remand oil a charge of .having between September 1-1 and September 19, at ■Wellington, stolen six autograph books valued at 10s. 2d., the property ol' .Messrs, Collins Bros., Ltd. 111-. Tougood appeared for accused, who pleaded not guilty, and Chief Detective M'Grath prosecuted. Ernest Scotland, stevedore, stated that accusal vrns employed, working cargo in No. 3 hold of the Steamer Oswestry Grange from September 1-1 to September 10. Alfred Scott, shipping clerk for the Federal Moulder Shire Company, and Stephen li. Uead, stationer in the employ of Jlcbsrs. Collins ISros., Ltd., gave evidence as to the missing goods. Detective Andrews stated that on September iil last he arrested accused oil another charge, and the same day executed a search warrant and searched the house occupied by accused. The books (produced) were fouild in the house. Accused, oil being shown the books later, said he got them about a fortnight before, when tliey were given to him by' a man on the Oswestry Grange, lie did not know the person he got tliem from. Oil October 22 witness arrested accused on the present charge. To Mr. Toogood: M rs. Parker said the books were presents to the children from a relative. Win. Albert Parker staled that lie was working in No. 3 hold .of the Oswestry. Grange,. A sailor on hoard the boat gave witness the books (produced) just,after the hutches had bcon put oil ouo night. Wit-

ness took them in his hand and .walked off the boat not suspecting that they had been stolen. Witness could not identify the man if ho was in, the Court at the present time. His Worship considered that accused's explanation as to how ho obtained possession of the goods was not sufficient. He would ho convicted and fined £5, in .default 21 days' imprisonment.

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. A young man named Oliver Robinson hleaded guilty to n charge of having, at AVellington, on July 1, attempted to commit suicide by severing an artery in his arm with n razor. It was stated by the police that Robinson lost his employment, which fact preyed upon his mind, nitd led to the committing of tlio act mentioned in the charge. His Worship entered a conviction, and ordered accused to come up for sentence when called 011.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT. Charles Hansen and Henry Holland, alias John Simpson; wero charged with having behaved in a disorderly manner in Courtenay I'laco, whereby a breach of the peaco was occasioned. Holland pleaded guilty, and Hansoii not guilty. Hansen admitted striking Holland, lifter tho latter had attacked him without any provocation. Holland was convicted and sentenced to seven days' imprisonment, and Hansen was Convicted and discharged. RESISTING AND OBSCENE LANGUAGE. William Whiteside was charged (1) with insobriety, (2) with resisting Constable Hodgson whilst in tho execution of his duty, and (3) with having used obscene language in Courtenay Place. Accused resisted the constable, who arrested him on a charge of insobriety, and used tho language complained of on tho way to tho lock-up. On the first chargo accused was fined 55., in default 24 hours' imprisonment, and on each of the other charges sentences of 21 days' imprisonment wero entered, to run concurrently. MISCELLANEOUS. Duncan Gray pleaded guilty to a charge of being an idle and disorderly person. SubInspector Phair stated that accused had come to the station that morning and given himself up. Accused was' remanded until Wednesday for scntcnco to enable tho polico to mako further inquiry about him. Frederick-' Courtney pleaded guilty to a chargo of unlawfully assaulting Percival G. Taylor, and also to a chargo of using obscene language. On the first charge a conviction and fine of £3, in default 14 days' imprisonment, was imposed, and on tho second charge a conviction and fine of £5, in default 2i days' imprisonment was entered. Carolino Smydth and William Egan, charged with drunkenness, wero each convicted and sentenced to one month's imprisonment. William Brown, similarly charged, was convicted and fined, 10s., in default 48 hours' imprisonment. Two first offenders wero each lined 10s. BY-LAW CASES. RESCUING WANDERING CATTLE. Philip Cameron, farmer, of Horokiwi was charged with having, on September 1, rescued two cows from John Thompson, a person duly by tho Makara County Couuoil to impound' stock found wandering. Evidence for tho prosecution alleged that Thompson, the county ranger, found two of defendant's cows wandering on the public road, and commenced to drive them to the pound, but was intercepted by a servant of defendant, and subsequently by defendant himself, who, it was alleged, drove the cows into his own placo. Mr. J. J. M'Grath, who appeared for tho defence, urged that there was no evidence to convict Cameron with rescuing the cows, and called evidence to show that tho cows wont into defendant's open gate of their own' accord. ' His Worship held' that tho evidence wiis conflicting, but, oil tho whole, ho was inclined to bclicvo tho statements of tho ranger. Defendant would bo convicted and fined 205., and costs £1 17s. Mr. Toogood appeared for tho prosecution. William John Monaghan was fined 10s. and costs 7s. for being tho owner of a cow found wandering at Karori.