MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Evening Post, Volume XLVII, Issue 84, 10 April 1894, Page 2

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

This Dat. [Before Messrs. J. R. Blair. T. M'Kenzio, and E. Jones, Justicos.] ALLEGED THKFT. Amelia Annio Bateß, a respoctable looking woman, was charged with stealing several hindkorohiofg valued at Is 3d, the property of Kirkcaldie & staii.B. She pleaded Not Guilty, and was defended by Mr. Skerrett. Actinpr-Detnetive Gantley jjave evidence to the effect that yesterday afternoon he was sent to watch at the* salo being bold by Kirkoaldio A Stains at M' Arthur &, Co.'s warehouse, Viotoria-atroot. 110 noticed the defendant, whose movements he considered auspicious, examining some socks "at ft counter. Shortly afterwards he saw her pii'k up some bandkorchiofe and walk to another part of the shop. Ho did not see her replaco the handkerchiefs. Soon after this she walked np to witness and said sho had noticed that he bad been watching her, and askod him if her conduct wab suspicious, to which he replied that it was She added that she intended to havo had them, but she saw witness was watching her. At witness' request the accused took him to a counter, whore sho bhowed him tho handkerchiefs under come other articles. He then arrested her. t'ho had purchased eomo goods prior to this, and her parcel was being made up. In cross-examination Gautley said hodid not think the accused meant that she intended to havo bought the handkerchiefs if ho had not placed her under surveillance. Ho thought she intended to steal tho goodr. John Kirkcaldie deposed to the detective bringing the accused to him yesterday after, noon and charging her with the theft. Hie said fhe did not intend to take the handkerchiefs, and fell on her knees and begged him for the sake of her aiok husband and family not to look her up. Witooss informed hor that the matter was in the hands of the police, and he conld not interfere. Mr. Skerrett, in an impassioned address for tho defence, said that very frequently detectives gave their evidence throngh coloured glasses, and to the detriment of the accused. Mre. Bates did go upon hor knees and supplioate that she should not be locked up. This, however, was not a sign of guilt, bnt a prayer that she might not be pnt to the ignominy of being imprisoned. John Coliins, grooer, of Wordsworthstreet, said he had known the acensed for 16 years. She was au honest woman, and be had known her as a Christian worker belong* ing to the same Church as himself for years past. The accused also gave evidence to the effect that when Detective Gantley asked her where the handkerchiefs she had been looking at were, she took him to the spot where she had placed them, and 4iwe she found them under some stockings which some intending purchaser had, she supposed, placed over them. She had carried them some distance along the store. The Benoh, throngh Mr. Blair, said they did not think that Mrs. Bates had any intentipn to commit a theft, and therefore the case would bo dismissed. THBBATBNINO TO SHOOT. Alex. Shearer, a middle-aged man, was charged with having threatened to shoot his wife wiih a revolver last night. He pleaded Not Guilty. Constable Black stated that hist night be was informed that a disturbance had arisen in Shearer's honse in Mo'es-worth-street. There he arrested the aocused on the present charge Whilst on the way to the lock-up, witnebs observed the prisoner pass something to his brother, who was walking alongside, and on searching the latter a loaded "re volvor was found in the brother's coat pocket. The prisoner, on hii own application, wa3 remanded to Friday next. Bail, however, was refused. Inspector Pender, informed the Bench that the prisoner, for some- reason, or probably for no reason, had become jealouß of bis wife. ALLOWING BUBBISH TO ACCUMULATE. Robort Ryan, a resident of Howard- street, Newtown, was complained of for permitting rubbish to remain in his bxek-yard, and pleaded Guilty James Doyle, Inspector of Nuisances, stated that ho visited the d'afendant'ri yard, whero he found a qneiitity of putrid meat amongst other decaying matter. Afiue of 10s and costs was imposed. DISORDERLY HOUSE. Mary Richarda pleaded Not Guilty to the oharuc of keeping a disorderly house in John-street. She stated on oath that she had not occupied the bonso referred to since she had been fined for a simi'ar offence a fortnight ago. Her furniture had remained in the house, and 6he had only visited it for the purpose of paoking up her belongings. Sne had been staying with her son-in-law, who resides in Newtown A fine of 20s and 78 costs was imposed. A similar case against KaU Molloy was withdrawn, as it was proved she was the servant of Richards. FOEQEBT. John Oakley, alias Morton, w«s charged with forging the name of J. H. Allan to » cheque for M drawn on the Wellington, branch tf thl .National Bwk, JgJ|^

inn the* samo to George Boas, licensee of tho Royal Hotol. Tho evidence showod that tho aoouaed on Good Iriday presented Mr. Pobs with tbo cheque In payment for a weok's board in advance and for some refreshments, receiving m teoiwgo a balance in cash. On tho cheque b o° Dlr , resented at tho bank after th* fcaster ?i??J n. was pronounced to be valueless, uonaays 1. ar « e o f aß i m ilar character was r H Z?S,^ tho prisoner, the specific nformation belu v fc National in the name or J. ju. „ » ni m™ __,i B^k, Palmerston Vn.\^l h^ uttenng it to Charie* «? Ilto hV' Abnnef Mtfoet. It was t,r*K d -^°S 017o l 7 purchased a saddle, &c\, from V ro t and reoeivod a small balance/ O»Vk. • !, £ a t c sented himself as part proprietor of iv. _ na do Paris, Palmerston North. Tb« dIK. ! was paid in, and retnrned marked "dtttw»* not known.'' The accused, who was tfftdefended, was committed for trial oft both obarges, and reserved his defence. Bail nas allowed, in two sureties of £26 in oach eas9 ( On a third charge, of forgery alleged to havo been committed at Pahiatua, tho prisoner was remanded to appear at that p!aoo on tho 18th mat.