MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 20, 25 January 1911, Page 8

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Quite a series of charges were preferred at the Magistrate's Court to-day, before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., against Arthur, alias Herbert, Doughty of stealing, on ,or. about 11th January, a quantity of jewellery, a sovereign, a pair of trousers-, etc., belonging to various owners. On the application of Cirief-Detecfcive Broberg, the first two .charges were withdrawn. Accused pleaded guilty to each charge. The \ facts, as stated by the Chief-Detective, were that the theft was committed while accused was living in a boardinghouse at Petone. The articles, were traced to his possession by Detective Cassells. All except the sovereign, which had been spent, had been recovered. In addition, a pair of trousers had been taken from Courtenay-place, and sold to a secondhand dealer for ss. There were seven previous convictions against accused for theft and false pretences, dating from 1896 to twelve months ago. The man was married, but was absolutely no help to his wife. His Worship said he could not give Doughty a chance ; he must have had them long ago. A sentence of six months' imprisonment was imposed on the first charge, and terms of three months each on the others, the sentences to run concurrently. James Hessey came up on remand on a charge of damaging a pane of glass, valued at £10, the property of George Howe. Sub-Inspector Norwood stated that the principal witness was in the hospital, and he asked for & further remand until to-day week. This was not opposed by Mr. H. F. O'Leary, counsel for accused, and Hessey was released on his own recognisance. Ail inebriate, a first offender, failed to answer to his name, and was nned 10s, or 24 hours' imprisonment. A young girl name Katie Walshe, a new arrival from Ireland, was charged with the concealment of the birth of her stillborn child. Mr. Fitzgibbon appeared for the mother. Counsel held that there was no guilty knowledge. His Worship said, after hearing the evidence, that ne was of opinion that aj.ury would not convict, and he was not prepared to send the girl up for trial. De-. fendant should be^discharged. The fact that she had been brought before the court would be a sufficient warning to her. ' A very respectable-looking young' man named Christopher D. Mills was charged with indecent exposure in Daniel-street. After the evidence had been heard, Mr. Herdman, counsel for the prisoner, said he proposed putting his client in the witness-box, aa he had abundant evidence of good character — •even the police supported that — and he ¦would ask that the case be dismissed. Such a charge, he said, could easily be brought against the most innocent person in the world. ' Mr. Eiddell, however, held that a prima facie case had been made out. As his evidence would be wasting time, Mr. Herdmasi reserved the defence, and accused was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail jf £50 and on© surety of £50 was allowed. Mr. F. Lissingion, J.P., presided over this morning's sitting of the Mount Cook Police Court, when Arthur Scott, for drunkenness, was fined 20s, the alternative being fixed at seven days' imprisonment, and Eliza Southee, for a similar offence, was mulcted in a penalty of 10s, with an option of fortyeight hours in gaol. William. Weldon. ¦was convicted and discharged.