MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3094, 26 May 1917, Page 12

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

ALLEGED THEFT FROM A SOLDIER Mr. L G. Rcid, JUL, presided at tho Magistrate's Court yesterday. A. sordid story was told in. connection with tho case in which HthoL Esther Cousins and .Fred Jansen wero charged with tho theft lit X'lO in money, tho property of John Kdword Onncen, also with. Iho theft of a lenthor wallet containing JJ'J JSs., Iho proporty of Richard Smith. Fred Jansen was further charged with habitually consorting with a prostitute, contrary lo tho "War Regulations. Tho secjinl of tho alleged thefts was a fish shop in Willi's Street, tho proprietress of which added to her incoino by letting rooms. Tho two accused, passing as man and wife, wero in occupation of ono room, and two soldiers camo (a) the houso and secured rooms. Tho parties became acquainted, and later f.lio two soldiers lojst their money. With respect lo Iho wallet, tho alleged owner failed to 'identify it, and tho information was dismissed.' On tho charge of theft of .£](), tho Magistrate said ho was not satisfied with tho evidence, which was not strong enough to convict. T'horo Was no doubt a certain amount'of suspicion, but that was not sufficient. Ha" would dismiss tho caso without prejudice'. Oil Iho second charge against Jansen, ho was couvicted and sentenced lo three months' imprisonment. Ethel Esther Cousins was further charged with escaping from tho Salvation. Army Homo in Christchurch, and was remanded to appear in tho southern tiity. to-day. THEFT. OF A COSTUME. , Henry Stevens, alias .Tames Kegislcr, was convicted of tho theft of a girl's costume, valued at 305., tho property of Jacob Splosky, also Tvith the theft of. a portmanteau, valued at £'i. Ho was sentenced to a month's imprisonment on each charge, tho terms lo be cumula-. tivc. OTHER; CASES. For insobriety Evelyn Barr, "William Michinson, Francis Edward Gordon, Job Flanaghan, and William Mekin wero (each fined 205., in default seven days' imprisonment, and Thomas Mylett was fined 10s., in tho alternativo throo days in gaol. William Kinnaird Cliisholm, who was found helplessly drunk on tho Glasgow Wharf, was remanded for medical treatment. A conviction was recorded against Charles Henry. Latham for assaulting Douglas Whitelaw, and ho was fined 10s., or to serve three days in gaol,- and for using obscene language in a fish shop in Taranaki Street a fine of 20s. was imposed, in the alternative seven days' imprisonment. ' Michael M/Caithy, for committing a breach of his prohibition order, was penalised to the extent of 205., or to serve Bcven days in gaol. , BY-LAW CASES. [ George Diamond and Arthur Morton, for failing to stop their vehicles when requested to do so by a constable, were convicted, and each fined 10s. and costs, in default three days' imprisonment. Oswald Johns, for allowing stock to wander, was convicted and ordered to pay costs. CIVIL ACTION. • A civil action which took up considerable time was heard by Mr. L. G. Eeid, S.M., when Donald Duncan, storekeeper, of Northland,' proceoded against Ernest Bolton, of Oriental Bay, grocer, lo recover £Vi damages for alleged negligent management of a horso hired by Duncan to •• Bolton as a delivery-van horse. It transpired in evidenco that tho defendant's .boy, whilo driving . tho horse, allowed the animal lo fall and break its knees; and the horse'was returned to plaintiff in this damaged condition. A great deal of evidenco was given as to tho condition of tho horse at the time of hiring, and as to its condition when returned, tho plaintiff alleging that the horse was returned in a deplorable condition. Certain law points were raised by defendant's counsel, and the Magistrate reserved his decision to consider these. ' Mr. T. Noavo appeared for plaintiff, aud Mr. AY. L. Ttolhenbcrg for defendant. JUVENILE COURT. 1 Six small boys who had got into mischief at ono of the sensido suburbs appeared before Mr. L. G. Rcid, S.M., in tho Juvenilo Court yesterday to answer to • charges of thoft from certain dwellings. According to the statement of counsel tho delinquents had established a camp, and under some reckless .inspiration, "purely psychological manifestation of the trines," as counsel expressed it, raided tho dwellings for furnishings and supplies. When taxed by the police tho boys admitted the charges, and tho parents, when apprised of tho affair, made prompt restitution, and ad- . ministered duo punishment. Tho polico authorities did not desire to press the mailer, and in view of all tho circumstances, the Magistrate admonished and dismissed the offenders.