MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 230, 23 June 1921, Page 5

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

The cases brought by the police in the Magistrate's Court yesterday were heard by Mr. F. K. Hunt. B.M. A further remand for a week was granted in the case of William Little, who stands charged that, between February 1, 1919, and April 20, 1921, being then a clerk in tho Government service, he stole divers sums of money totalling £lO6 195., the propertv of the Labour Dopartment. Bail was allowed as preVi A. U watei'sider named Frederick Bowtell, who was described as “simple minded,’ was charged with being a rogue and a vagabond in that he was found by night in an outhouse in tho old railway yarn, Wakefield Street. Sub-In spector Willis said that the man had been out of >ork for tome time. He had been sledrnng In the Salvation Arniy Hostel, but on the previous evening he was found Bleeping out. He liad between £2 and £3 on him when arrested. Bowtell was remanded until Friday in order that further inquiries might be made. William Standen, a young man and a watersider, was charged thnt on June 10 in Courtenay Place he used indecent language. The facts were stated to be that a young girl was waiting near the tram terminus at Courtenay Place when the accused came up and stood alongside of her. He spoke to her and used some filthy language. She moved away and he followed her up, and again used filthy language. Fortunately there was in tn® neighbourhood a young man who knew the child, and he went up to her, and tho accused cleared out. Complaints were made to tho police and Standen was arrested. Tho next morning ho was identified by tho girl and also by another. Mr. H. H. Cornish, who appeared for the accused, said that the language was not used within hearing of the public, but was used in a conversational way to the girl. He contended that the making of a impure suggestion to a female did not constitute indecent language. The Magistrate said he would consider the matter, and remanded the accused until Friday. , , 4 Standen was further charged that, on June 10, ho indecently assaulted a female under the age of 12 year<i, and there was an alternative charge of attempting to carnally know a girl 6i years of age. Ihe Court was cleared during the hearing of these charges. After evidence had been given by nine witnesses, the accused, who »pleaded, not guilty, was committed for trial at. the Supreme Court. The question of ball was deferred until Friday.