MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3016, 1 March 1917, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THEFT FROM HOTELS. Mr. L. G. Beid, S.M., presidod over a sitting of tho. Magistrate's Court yesterday morning. . Robert CarHon Gray was charged with stealing from the Masonic Hotel the sum oi £li is. Cd. in money and two gold rings, valued at ,£l6 lte. 6d., tho property of Henrietta 'CFBrion, and others. Chief-Detective Boddam prosecuted. Henrietta O'Brien, wife" of Louis Perciyal OBrien, licensee of tho Masonio Hotel, in Cuba Street, gave evidenco that on October, 8, 1916, accused took a room on the first floor. Ho gave his name as "Mr. Robinson." On the ovening of the day following, witness wont to her .bedroom, which was also on tho first floor. I There sho noticed- that her purse, which was in a drawer, had beon opened, and money oxtraoted. Accused had no right to be on the promises on tho night in question. Two waitresses and a barmaid gave evidence as to missing valuables from their rooms.

Asked if he had anything to say, aocused admitted taking 155., and alleged that the thefts liad been committed by a man named Walsh, who was etayiDg at the. hotel along with him. A further, charge of etoaling a 1 rolled gold watch, a chain and a pendant, valued at £12, from Chevanne's Hotel, .Wanganui, was preferred against the accused. The property belonged to one George Cooke, and. the theft waa alleged to have taken place on October 9. Gray' pleaded guilty to both charges, 'and was committed to tho Supremo Court for sentence

"WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES." Before Mr. W. G. Riddell, 6.M., Austin Walker was charged with having, aboard the s.s. Maitai, assaulted one David Alfred Jones so as to cause him actual bodily harm. After medical evidence 1/ad been heard, the charge was reduced to one of common assault. Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared for the informant, and Mr. H, 1 , . O'Leary for tho dofendant. : The defendant alleged that the trouble arose whon somebody made tho remark: "Have you ever heard 'What Happoned to Jones?'" Jones turned on him, attempting to kick, and he merely pushed Jones with his hand. His Worship said tho ovidonco was sonipwhat contradictory, but it seemed to him that, although tho affair was trivial, there really had been an assault committed. Defendant was fined 20s, with the. alternativo of seven days'' imprisonment.