MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 641, 19 October 1909, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

• (Before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M.) !'■• ■ A STOLEN SWAG. .Peter M'Grath, Alexander M'Kciuie, and James Johnson were brought up on the re manded charge of stealing a canvas bag blankets, pillows, etc,- of a total value of jB the property of John Mathieson. M'Grath admitted the offence,.but the others pleaded not I guilty. ~■•■..:. . ■'• ■ . -,-.-. . - . , Ejidence sas givea by. M&thietoi,. a :jbmbmJ

who stated that his ewag was-taken to the Otago Buffet, but when ho got there,' it had i■ disappeared. He next saw it at the Police Station and then found that certain * articles were missing. . - • Accused M'Grath stated that MTtenzie offered the swng for sale to a second-hand dealer. M'Kcnzie did not tell witness that the swag belonged to Matliicson. Johnson' was also present in the shop.. They received 10s. with which they-adjourned to a hotel. Michael Levy, a second-hand dealer, ,said he romombered the three men entering his shop and selling the- articles. Giving ovidenco.on his own behalf, M'Kensio said that he took the bag from the O.tago Buffet to the Pier Hotel, as it was not intended to stay at the former place. He had had a good deal of drink on the day in question. ■ . . . . , • The magistrate characterised the theft as a very mean one. It appeared to have been done to obtain liquor. Kach accused would be convicted and fined 205., in default seven days' imprisonment, the goods to be returned to tho owner. ■ ■ . .

' TREATMENT OF ANIMALS. A charge of cruelty to a horse was preferred against a young driver named Edward White (Mr. O'Leary). . Evidence was fciven to the effect that the blows were sufficient to bring the horse to its knees on three occasions. Defendant was under the influence of liquor at the time, and when one of the -witnesses remonstrated, accused threatened to treat him as he had treated the horse. ' t ,W. C. Quinnell, veterinary surgeon, 6tated that the horse was unfit for work. For the defence, evidence was given with intent to show that there was no load on the vehicle and that no unnecessary means were adopted to urge the horse.- ' „ : Defendant was convicted and fined 20s. and costs >£1 145., in default seven days 1 imprisonment. > ■ A DRIVER ACQUITTED. A driver named Wallace M'Guire, who was represented by Mr. Fitzgibbon, entered a plea of. not giulty to a chargo of cruelty to a horse. , o, 'P re <narkcd that there were no marksi of cruelty on the animal, and-on the evidence ho could not convict. He refused to .allow-, costs.. t • , MAINTENANCE. For , disobedionce of an order for the maintenance of. his illegitimate child, (arrears ,£2 Bs.), William Arthur Andrews was convicted and sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment.. Charged similarly, but with.arrears amount-' ing to jp lis., Robert Coulston was convicted and sentenced to one month's imprisonment, the warrant to he suspended on condition that arrears are reduced by 7s. Gd.' per week. A DESERTER FROM THE NAVY. _A tall, athletic young man,, named James iUU-ackcn, stepped into the dock to answer a charge of deserting from H.M.S. Pioneer at Loiombo. Sub-Inspector Norwood remarked that MUacken surrendered.himself on Saturday, after working, his passage from Colombo. Uowas convicted, and ordered to be detained until the arrival of the vessel.

OTHER CASES. J'He had been drinking methylated spirits, riftfe Was state °f helpless, drunkenSSS.«T r v ?P h, P i ' Th °s Sub-Inspectot ' t 6pea T ll,s , ln , reference to a man named James Lauder, 'l'hc alleged offender treatment ' W ofctober 25 medical h.f.' yo j Dß i ,? al ? OIJ Charles Hill admitted cah 1 fi.Tr w hile in charge of a horse and ■&m?™n\!S p ? :to F.. NNod.o ™°od.'stated that deIw* u $ a tramcar, and was nnlS wl " j 1 ! S< #-, ?° - vaa flncd « s -> and A , nlt 7 days' imprisonment. A well-dressed young woman, named Theresa 'Ju leaded (juilty to using impropor lanf»n i/\ j }in< ;d £i, and 6s. costs,'in default 14 days imprisonment. &&&«£•«£< fiSili, Coram i ttin S "n '"decent act, Edward S -fined A.in.default .H'day^ ;i INTERPRETATION, OF; . AN ; AWARD. (Beforo 1 Dr. M'Arthur, S.M.). i"■ ■ (ji? o ffindm^M Cooks, /5 d Rewards'. Union .■ sq p ? coe .4 c 4'°B alnst .tho Union ' of kward P y ( alleged broaches j i fe.lSrtf 1 ? 'j>l«intiffV behalf, -hat ' a cook on the. .Maitai,, named J. Smith, was ' only -paid 3s. overtime for work on two Sun- < S \T}"i e ,r as P roridcd the award.' < cUuL defcn , c . e > Mr - Levi submitted that the : clause in question was very vajrue j Decision was reserved. ,