MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1039, 31 January 1911, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M.) GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE. TERRITORIAL'S THEFT. Joseph Percival Revell, 17 years of age, a member of the Territorial Forces, was brought forward for sentence. On Saturday morning ho had pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing Irom the Karori camp on January 18 a white tunic, a pair of trousers, a service cap, aud a belt valuo jC3, the property of tho Wellington Guards, and b a further charge of theft on January 24 at' Wellington, of three rifles, value Xll, the property of the New Zealand Government.

Chief Detective Broberg stated that as a result of further inquiries it had been ascertained that only tiro rifles had actu-, ally been stolon, tho third being now I accounted for. Ouo of tho rifles had been I disposed of to a second-hand dealer for | 15s. Accused was a member of the Wellington. Guards and the rifles had been missed from the orderly room of that company. In regard to the second charge, accused had taken tho articles from the camp at Karori .while ho was left in charge ono day. A month ago ho was before the Court in connection with the theft of two watches and on that occasion he was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called on. Mr: H. F. O'Leary, on behalf of accused asked his Worship to take into account tho ago of the lad. He could scarcely ask for accused to be merely convictcd and ordered to conic up for sentence when called on, as already one chanco had been given liira. The question was what would he the best thing to do with him? It really seemed a sliamc to send a boy like that to live among criminals. The magistrate (to the Chief Detective): What has become of the articles mentioned .in the second charge? • .The Chief Detective: The.v have not been recovered, your Worship, but Detectivo Cassells says he can recover them without any difficulty, from information just supplied by the accused. The case was then allowed to stand down to allow of inquiries being made as to whether accused could get employment. Later in the morning, Chief Detcctive Broberg stated that Revell's employer was willing to take him back, and Mr. 0 Leary stated that his client would pay 15s. towards recovering the rifle. The magistrate admonished accused, remarking, inter alia, that it was unusual for any one to bo given a second chance, but accused would be convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called on on condition that lie' paid 15s. towards recovering the rifle.

FALSE PRETENCES. ...William James Imric, a middle-aged man, pleaded guilty to a. chargo of. obtaining .£5 from Joseph Swindale at Wellington on January 16, 1910, by means of a valueless cheque. There were eight previous convictions against accused and ho was sentenced .to six months' imprisonment.

REMANDED TILL TO-MORROW. George Arthur Aldo was charged that oil. January 28, having intention to do grievous bodily harm, lie did actual bodily harm to Charles Nicol. As.Nicol ivas reported to be an inmate of the hospital, accused was remanded until tomorrow. Mr. H. F. O'Leary, on behalf of accused, asked for bail, which was fixed at .£SO, and two sureties of <£25 'each. '

DISCHARGED FROM CUSTODY. The man Boss Taylor, who had been convicted of drunkenness 011 Saturday, and detained in custody until inquiries could be made concerning a swag, value 405., was again before the Magistrate. •.The swag had been found in iaylors possession, and he had been unable to account for it. *11 j.l l Sub-Inspector Norwood stated that accused and. Brown, owner of the swag, had been drinking in company. Brown had now claimed tho swag, and there was no evidence to offer .against Taylor. '."Tho ;mau was accordingly discharged. •MAINTENANCE. . Charles Enticott was 'sentenced; to a month's imprispnment for .disobedience of a maintenance order for the support of his wife. The arrears under tho order amounted to X' 32 ss.' In connection with a mainteuance order made against Florrie Harris under tho Industrial Schools Act, the magistrate reduced the payments to 4s. per week, but ordered the arrears to bo paid. A maintenance order made in Oxford agairist Geo. Hagley Davies was varied, so that future payments will bo made to the Court in Wellington, .instead of in Oxford. Florence Beatrice Rolfe, for wliom Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared, proceeded against Thomas Emms for failing to support his mother and .father. Tho parents, whose ages are 07 and 73, reside with complainant, who is a married, daughter. ..The father stated that defendant, when in employment, was in the habit of giving his parents 10s. a week, and this satisfied them. The information was therefore dismissed. OTHER CASES. Florence Emma Emeny pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness, and to a further charge of being an idle'and disorderly person without lawfuU visible means of support. .On tho chargc of drunkenness she was convicted and discharged, and on the second charge. she was ordered to remain in the Salvation Army Home for six months.

A first-offending inebriate, who lad been remanded for curative treatment, was convicted and ordered to pay 17s. 6d. medical expenses, in default forty-eight -hours' imprisonment. Two other first offenders were fined 10s., with the alternative of 4S hours' imprisonment, and another was convicted and discharged. . A prohibition order was issued against Jessie Tremaiue. For furiously driving a vehiclo and horse. in-Rintoul Street on January IG, Humphries O'Lc'ary was fined lCs., with costs. 13s. and witnesses' expenses 125., in default forty-eight hours' imprisonment. THE CRIMINAL SESSIONS. A LIGHT LIST. 1 A comparatively light list awaits th® criminal scs-ions cf the - Supreme Court, Which open at 11 a.m. to-morrow. The following are the charges which have been set down for hearing:—Walter Hasler, alleged criminal assault; Geo. Herbert Conroy, alleged breaking and entering; Geo. Williams, alleged assault with intent to rob; Joseph Bannehu Edger, alleged criminal assault; Matthew Cooper, alleged assault; Albert Murphy, alleged attempted house-breaking; , Win. Thomas, alias Thompson, alleged theft from a.dwelling; Frcdk. Rollins, alleged criminal assault; ■Henry Jos. Clements, alleged wounding with intent.