POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 17955, 28 April 1922, Page 5

POLICE COURT

Friday, April 20. (Before Mr H. AV. Bundle, S.M.) CONTEMPTIBLE SNEAK THIEF. William Arthur Williams pleaded guilty to three charges of theft and one of attempted theft from the pavilion of the Dunedin Bowling Club. Sub-inspector Eccles said that the facts showed a system of thefts from the pockets of bowlers. On the afternoon of April 5 Constable Aitcbison saw the accused put his hand in the pocket of a coat, hanging in the pavilion and draw out two letters. These he put back. Then he “spotted” Aitfchieon, ami began scribbling on a book. When arrested a diary was found on him which was subsequently discovered to be I the property of another member, from I whose pocket it had been taken. Tins ! diary, which contained valuable data, bad j not been recovered, A matchbox belongj ing to Peter Miller, and which .had gone | missing on Old Bowlers’ Day, was found !at , accused’s home. On that .same day ■ Patrick Gunn Prydo bad lost a wallet containing 30s, and again in November the same member bad lost*another wallet containing £l. The man was married, bad five children, and was slightly addicted to drink. The thefts, said the sub-inspector, were mean and contemptible. The probation otticer (Mr F. G. Cummings) put in bis report, explaining that lie made a. recommendation, but only on account of the man’s wife and -children. His Worship said that accused had been convicted of most despicable thefts. A man who went round to clubs or lipases committing petty sneak thefts such, as the. accused had dune was not deserving of any consideration. The consideration ho would receive was mainly because of the probation officer’s report concerning the family. Accused would be admitted to probation for two years, on condition that ho took out a prohibition order and made restitution of the £3 10s stolen from Mr Prydc, and to pay £5 towards the cost of the prosecution, three months to be allowed for payment. . DRUNKEN WOODCARTERS. Albert Norman Sutherland was charged with disorderly behaviour while drunk. — The Sub-inspector said that defendant and a man named Matthews had been out in a cart selling firewood, and in the course of their round they visited several hotels, and got under the influence of liquor. A dispute, arose as to the disposition of come bottles of beer, and Sutherland hit his mate over the head with one of them. Later Sutherland was found mad drunk, rushing round in scant clothing. He was on three years’ probation at the present time, one of the conditions being that he refrained from taking drink- There was not much difference between the two men so far as their conduct on this occasion was concerned. —The probation otticer (Mr F. G. Gumming) said the defendant had been reporting satisfactorily.—Defendant said be would be willing to take out a prohibition order; ho intended to sell out and go into the country. He had not known what “refraining from liquor” really meant. —Fined £5, in default three days’ imprisonment, a ,<sJgjlTmtion order to he taken out.

THEFT OF 1 '^GS,

Arthur Ernest Liddicoa. pleaded not guilty to stealing three iron gratings, of a total value of bOs, the property of Luko Clyde Hazlott, stating that he intended bringing Hie gratings back. John "-Rhodes, building contractor, said lie was engaged in altering a. shop .at th-j corner of Stuart and Dunbar streets. Accused had been working on the job. Tho three gratings were rais-cd, and w.tiers reported Hie matter to the police. Detectives went across, and accused then admitted to him (witness) that he had taken the gratings. Plain-clothcs Const-able Sneddon said he found the ratings in accused's yard. When Liddicoat came homo ho was accompanied by an expressman, and said he was going to take tho gratings hack. This was after he had seen the police inquiring about the matter. Accused said ho look a lean of tho gratings to keep fowls from getting on his garden. Tho Magistrate said ho was .satisfied that tlie man teok the gratings thinking it would never bo noticed. Accused had been before the court previously, and he (Hie magistrate) would like to have a report about him, He would bo remanded for sentence until to-morrow. CHARGE AMENDED. In connection with the charge against Allan Bedford, licensee cf the Southern Hotel, who was charged on Monday with attempting to sell liquor during clcso hours, tho magistrate intimated that ho had approved of tiro amendment to the charge asked for by tho police, (and to which Mr Invin, for defendant, raised no objection), making it a straight-out charge of gelling the liquor. The matter was further adjourned {or a week. CHARGE WITHDRAWN. Tho joint charge against Phillip M’Eaughlan and Thomas Hussey that they used threatening behaviour in Princes street was withdrawn on the application of tho sub-inspector, who said that the defendant M’Laughlan had been ill in Hie hospital, and the other defendant could net be found. Tho breach of peace had not been a very serious one. RETURNED TO SHIP. Albert Edward Bios* Dix, a smart young bluejacket, was charged on remand with desertion from H.M.S. Chatham. Sub-inspector Ecclcs said he had now received a communication from the naval authorities asking that the deserter bo placed on the Chatham at Dovonpovt, An outer was made accordingly. MAINTENANCE. Alexander Ramsay appeared on remand on a charge of failing to provide adequate maintenance for ins illegitimate, child. — Mr Irwin, for the defendant, said ho was willing to consent to an order. He bad made offers which had been refused.— An order was made for 10s per week, to date from tho date of the birth of the child, with £9 maternity expenses, and £5 os doctor’s fee. Application was made for an ex parte order for maintenance, separation, and guardianship against Norman Cadman, who was said to bo out of tho conn try.— After evidence by the wifq, (for whom Mr Ward appeared), tho orders were made, with maintenance at 30s per week. Application was made for separation, maintenance, and guardianship orders against William Stewart Home, Paulin, who did not appear.—After evidence had been given by the wife (for whom Mr Irwin appeared), tho orders were made, with 30s per week maintenance, and £lO past maintenance. James Alexander Johnston (Mr C. J, White) appeared on a complain for separation and maintenance.— Chief'Detective Bishop asked tor a remand. Two warrants had been issued for the arrest of defendant, he said, and the police were investigating as to whether lie had committed bigamy.—Defendant asked for bail. —-Mr Irwin said he appeared for wife No. 2 in a matter of maintenance, and she was anxious that tho man should not get bail.—Bail was refused and the. matter adjourned to May 5. DEFENCE ACT. For failing to render personal service under the Defence Act, William George Riddle was fined 10s and costs, and Hector Ross Moore (who had several previous convictions) £5 and costs. The charges against Thomas Hoarc, Archibald Taylor, and Jphn Dagg were adjourned for three months; and that against John Taylor was dismissed. BREACH OF ORDER. Frederick Peterson pleaded guilty to being on licensed premises while the subject of a prohibition order, and was lined 40s and costs, LICENSING ACT. John Hope (Mr C. J. L. White), for sending liquor into a no-licenso diftrict without tho proper notice accompanying it, was fined 10s and costs, it being explained that’a mistake had bean made by defendant’s daughter. BY-LAWS. Michael Joseph, for driving a herso and

trap on the wrong side cf the street, was fined 10s and costs. Marlin George Kofeod, for a similar offence while driving a motor car, was also fined 10s and costs. • "—I—