MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 227, 13 June 1918, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

ALLEGED THEFT FROM WAREHOUSE ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL Tho Hittinp of the Magistrate's Court yesterday was presided over by Mr. Vi : . Cr. Riddell, S.M. George James Sebvay and Michael Kelly wore charged that on Juno 3 last lliey broke and entered tho warehouse of Messrs. 'Miller and Ahcarn, woollen merchants, ami stolo five rolls of suiting cloth, valued at ,£MMs. !)d. There was also a chargo against each accused of having stolen a roll of cloth, valued at ]Bs. id., belonging to tho sairio firm. Chief-Detective Boddam prosecuted. When Kelly's namo waa called there was no appsanmcc, he having absconded from bail, and the Magistral said that an order might be issued for his arrest. .Evidence wad givon by Constable King that on tho day the thefts were alleged lo have taken place, he and Sergeant M'Kelvio saw tho accused in Old Custom- ] louse Street. Each of them was carrying a sack. Witness and Sergeant M'Kelvio followed the accused, who proceeded across Manners Street and up Herbert Street. A thud was hoard, o,nd Kelly was fclißn seen to drop his bundle and make off across Maimers Street and down Lointod Street. Witness went after him, and brought him buck. When asked where they, had got tho contents of tho sacks, Kelly said, "We're the mugs; a man named James Anderson gave us tho stuff to carry." Francis Joseph Miller said that on tho previous Saturday, before leaving, lio saw that all the doors and windows of his warehouse wero locked. On returning on the following Tuesday morning lib noticed that somo of the slock hail , been disarranged.', Subsequently* he found that a. window opening on to Wakefield Street had been tampered with, also that.several rolls of cloth were missing. On enino of tho othor rolls there were some chaff cuttings. Witness identified tho rolls produced as being thoso taken from his warehouse. Detective Torrance stated that some of the blue cloth material found at tho residence of'the accuscd was sprinkled with chaff.' Selway, for whom Mr. H. 1\ O'Leary appeared, planted not guilty, reserved I his defence, and, was committed to tho ; Supreme Court'for trial. Bail was allowH in tho sum of il'so, and "tic surety of .£SO. ■ . ' OTHER'CASES. Mary Jane Siuylio, an old woman, was arraigned on a charge of ■ being an incorrigible' . rogue, having' insufficient means of support. She. had been previously. convicted'as being a'rogue and a vagabond, • j . "Do you elect to bo dealt, with by His Worship, or to bo tried by jury?" asked the clerk of the accused. "Oh, the Magistrate; just whatever you line!": replied tho accused, gaily and unconcernedly. It was stated that tho woman had been an inmate of the Salvation Army Home, but Lad left of her own accoru a week ago. She was williiig to go back, but 'the authorities would not havo her. Accused was sent to. gaol for six niontlis. 1 William Arthur Nicholls was fined 205., in default seven days' imprisonment, for answering questions regarding his enrolment in the Expeditionary Forco Reserve iu a wilfully misleading manner. Accused .-.tated that he was "under tho influence"' at the time, and was not sure of what lie said. James Delaney, who caused trouble it* Lamjbton Quay when being arrested on Tuesday afternoon, was; fined 405., in default seven days' imprisonment, on n chargo of being disorderly whilo drunk. Robert' Collier, who was fouud helplessly drunk in Belvedere Street, Carterton, on May 21, and had to bo removed to Wellington Hospital fortroatment, where modical expenses amounting to over'.£s were incurred,.was ordered to pay 2s. Gd. costs. His' Worship said tho hospital authorities could procecd against accused to recover their expenses.

On charges of insobriety, Edith Louisa Young was fined 205., iu default- «ovoii days' imprisonment, and James M'Nab and John M.'l)oimld were each fined 10s., in default to be imprisoned for twentyfouv hours. Two first offenders were dealt with lightly.