POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 20049, 14 December 1928, Page 6

POLICE COURT

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14. (Before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.) CHIMNEY FIRES. For permitting the chimney of his premises to catch lire, Andrew Easton was fined 5s and costs. For a similar offence, Leonard Gray Tuck was fined 10s and costs. BY-LAW OFFENCES. Charged with being in charge of an unlighted motor car, Norman Child was fined os, and Herbert Edmond Davidson was fined 5s and costs. For driving a car without the prescribed lights, George Spiers was fined 10s and costs. Thomas M'Millan, a motorist, charged with causing a street obstruc-' tion, was fined 6s. .Tack Arthur Debenham pleaded not guilty to the charge of driving a vehicle on a footpath. Herbert Arthur Morris said that on the day of the alleged offence he saw a Baby “ Austin ” car with .two young fellows in it come out of Haye's terrace and turn into Cattle street. It came round the corner at about twelve miles per hour, and for no apparent reason whatever the driver went straight on to the footpath. Witness said he was forced to take shelter in a shop. The defendant gave evidence, and the case was adjourned till Monday, pending the taking of measurements. FALSE PRETENCES CHARGE. Isabella Murch was charged with obtaining from Henry Divers £35 by falsely representing that certain chattels in her possession were free of mortgage. Mr C. J. L. White, who appeared for the accused, asked for a remand till after the holidays, on the grounds that the accused’s husband, against whom a similar charge would be made when ho could bo served, would be prejudiced if the case went on at present. Chief-detective Cameron said that the case against the female accused would not bo prejudiced at all by the case going on. When Detective Nuttall endeavoured to servo the summons on the male accused at Timaru, he went to his residence, and the door was opened by a girl. The police heard a key being rattled in the door, and on opening it quickly saw the female accused, but she refused to give any information as to his whereabouts. She did, however, accept service on behalf of Murch, but stated that she did not know where he was. Mr White contended that the male accused would he prejudiced. When the police asked for adjournments, said Mr White, solicitors raised no objection, but when the defence asked for one the police opposed if. “ Is that reasonable, Mb White? ” asked the Magistrate. “I do not know whether it is reasonable or not, sir, hut it is true,” answered Mr White. In any case, this was an indictable offence, and the defence had the option of having the case dealt with summarily or of going for trial, in which event the evidence would have to be heard twice. The woman did not know whore her husband was, and she was considering taking maintenance proceedings against him. His Worship said ho would allow the matter to stand down in the meantime to allow the parties to confer. When the again called, the Chief-detective said he was desirous of proceeding. Air White said ho objected to the case going on at this juncture. Chief-detective Cameron went on to say that the accused called at Butterfield’s. Ltd., paid a small deposit, and signed an agreement on the hire purchase system for the purchase of a quantity of household goods, valued at £4O. This was done under the name of Isabellia Wright, and there was no mention of March. At this time she was living at Leith Valley, but subsequently she moved to Maclaggan street. She then approached Air O’Kaac, and, telling him that the furniture was her property, and without sayin gan.ything of the bailment held by Butterfield’s, she obtained £36. Within the next few days she wont to Air Divers, and, as in the case with Air O’Kane, used the name of Isabella Murch. when obtaining another sum of money on the same furniture, this time to the extent of £35. Air Divers had inspected the goods, and agreed to advance the money provided she brought her husband and the two of them signed the bailment. She produced Alnrch, and they both signed that name. If it had not been that Mr Divers had asked her to bring Alnrch ho would not have been in it at all. Later she went to AJornington, and then to Timaru, under another name. According to an arrangement, Air O’Kane, and Air Divers went to that town with a view to seizing .some of the goods, and it was at that time that Detective Nuttall went to the house to serve the summons.

“She is tlio principal offender,” concluded Mr Cameron. Mr White contended that before certain facts could bo gone into the presence of the husband was necessary. Apparently the police recognised this fact, because they intended to summon him. They were local business men only who were involved, and in the interests of justice he considered that a remand should be granted. He added that he would like the matter to bo loft over until after the holidays. Mr Cameron maintained that a week's remand was sufficient. “ There is no doubt that this accused can find Murch if she wants to. She is trying to deceive the court like she has deceived others.” Mr White: “ Nothing of the sort, sir.” Some discussion took place as to whether the accused’s real name was Wright or Murch. and it was agreed to let it remain as the latter. The accused was remanded till December 21, the police to be empowered to issuo a warrant at any time for her arrest if she did not report daily. A warrant null bo issued for Murch.