MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 966, 5 November 1910, Page 14

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M.) THEFT ON THE MANUKA^ Victor Hugo Reid pleaded guilty to a charge of theft of £3 55., the money of Arthur Ernest Blackmore. Chief-Dctectivo Broberg stated that accused was a steward oil the steamer Manuka, haying joined the vessel about a week ago in-Sydney. Blackmore was a sculloryman 011 the saiiio steamer, and after the vessel's arrival in Wellington, he missed the money from an unlocked, portmanteau in his cabin. Defectives Rawle and Cameron investigated the affair, and as a result the money was discovered concealed in a bathroom, and Reid was arrested and charged with tho theft. The magistrate imposed a seutence of one month's imprisonment and ordered the money to be returned. ALLEGED STREET-BETTING. Terence O'llagan was charged (1) with using Willis Street for t'lio purpose of betting 011 September 23 last, and (2) with doing an, act for tho purpose of aiding; William Ham in making a bet in Willis Street on the same day. Chief Detective Broberg appeared to prosecute and Mr. P. Jackson to defend.

An adjournment till November 1-1 was asked for by Mr. Jackson, as ho had only been instructed in the case the previous day.

The Chief Detective stated that accusod had boon served with a summons several days ago, hut the prosecution offered no objection to the adjournment which was accordingly granted. MAINTENANCE. Reserved decision was delivered in the case in which Margaret Small (Mr. P. Jackson) applied for summary separation from Joseph Small (Mr. Gray), and sought custody of three children! maintenance and costs. After hearing considerable evidence 011 Monday last tho magistrate said that he did not consider tliat there was sufficient proof to warrant summary separation. Counsel for applicant then- asked for a maintenance order, but Mr. Gray opposed maintenance being granted on the present application. In the course of his judgment yesterday tho magistrate said: "To succeed in obtaining an order containing any one of the provisions mentioned in Section 77 of the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act, 1908, complainant must prove .persistent crueltv, desertion, or failuro'to maintain. This has not been done aud the application' must therefore bo dismissed." An application by Charles Taunt, to havo a maintenance order varied, was granted. Tho order was reduced to payments of ss. a week, but is to stand in other respects. Tho caso of Fryer v. Fryer, an application for summary separation, was withdrawn by leave of the Court, Mr. P. Jackson stiting that a settlement had been arrived at. OTHER CASES. Mary Ann Benson, charged with using improper languago within tlio hearing of persons ,in Seddon Terrace, was fined £3 with costs lis., in default 14 days' imprisonment. A case against Harry Hooper, chargcd_ with using improper language, was adjourned till November 7. An adjournment till November 11 was granted in the case against Mary Ellen Hastings for alleged assault oil Lucy Macguire. For procuring liquor during tho currency of a'prohibition- order", John M'Phee was fined 405., in default seven days' imprisonment. On . a charge of drunkenness tho same accused, was con-, victed and discharged. Allan Steel Ramsay, charged witli procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order, was fined 405., with costs 95., in default seven days' imprisonment. An old woman named Margaret Williams appeared on remand for sontenco on a charge of drunkenness. Sub-In-spector Norwood stated that there were 130 previous convictions against the accused, who had boon declared a habitual criminal some time ago, and who was. at tho time of her arrest, on probation for a period of two years. The magistrate recorded another conviction and "ordered accused to go to the Samaritan Home and remain there for one year. Kate Bird, 011 a charge of drunkenness, was lined 205., in default seven imprisonment. . One first-offending inebriate was fined 55., with the.alternative of 24 hours' imprisonment, and two other first offenders, who did not appear, wero ordered to forfeit their bail of 10s. each. • Three catos- against Patrick Kavannagli for allowing sheep towander in the Onslow Borough were adjourned for a week on the application of Mr. P. Jackson.