MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 4368, 12 October 1916, Page 2

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

YESTERDAY’S SITTING. (Before Mr R. S. Florance, .S.M.) ESCAPING FROM CUSTODY. As an outcome of a recent escape from the Gisborne gaol, George Kinnaird came before the Court yesterday morning to answer to a charge of breaking from legal custody. Accused pleaded guilty, and handed His Worship a written statement. His Worship: I propose to read this out.

Accused: No; that is for vourse' only.

His Worship: Well, I don't thin I should read it. Accused : Very well : you can rea it out.

The statement read as follows:

‘T cannot do otherwise than plead guilty to the charge of breaking away from gaol. The charge that I was on remand for was preying on my mind, knowing that I am innocent of it. 1 plead to you to deal as leniently as you can, as T have an aged mother and father to .support and that was the reason why 1 escaped to try and enlist, as I am anxious to go and do my hit and lit the same time to renew my character. Owing to my being in gaol before, I thought it would be hard for me to proge my innocenceSince J have been out of gaol I have worked hard, and I have 'ntended going on the straight road and the right road to renew my character. When I came out of gaol on the 14th July last 1 went and offered my services for the front, but was rejected (the cause being that I was suffering from asthma), but I think if 1 got another chance I could pass the doctor all right this time. Hoping tin’s request will meet your generosity, and that you will do all in your power for me.”

His Worship said the charge of breaking from custody was a serious one. What accused had said weighed with him, but he thought lie should convict him, and sent him to prison for three months. The sentence was a light one, and on completing it he could endeavor to purge himself of the offence he had committed. On the other charges of breaking and entering the Otoko post office and stealing therefrom £6 17s 2d. accused was further remanded until Wednesday next, when .Sergeant Murrty stated he would then be ready to proceed with the ease. 11l DIM; WITHOI T A LIGHT. Ralph Page was charged with riding a motor cycle without a light. Mr Waucliop, who appeared for the defendant, entered a pica oi not guiltv. Constable Henderson stated that at G.lo p.m. on the day in question be saw the defendant riding without a light. . , To Mr. Waucliop witness said tliar both ho and Constable Lee.kie called to defendant, who did not stop until he had gone up the road about fifty yards. Defendant then got oif the cycle and lit his lamp. Witness was absolutely sure that the time was G.l-> when he'saw the. defendant. • Mr. Wauclion: What time did the sun sotP I don’t know. It was dark. . Mr. Wmichop : Rut you .-barge <lefendant with tailing to show a light ‘• between sunset and .sunrise. Wou.d it supriso von to know the time m sunset on October -I was eonside- aDly after 0 o'clock P—l don t know what the time ot sunset was. llis Worship consulted an almanac, and ascertained that the sun set at 0.7 n.m. on the day in question. Sergeant Murray said he did not anticipate a defence in this case, but if His Worship had any doubt t unstable Lock ip could be called. Mr. Waucliop stated that defendant left bis office in Lowe Street shortly before 0 o’clock, and as usual lit his lamp and proceeded home by way til Lowe Street and Gladstone UoskL On passim' Bright Street deteiidnnt heald the constables call -ut to lum. an< he got off the cycle and lit the lamp which flared, up, showing that the light had only bumped out. Ralph Page, the defendant, stateu that be left bis office at o niinuWs to six. He lit bis lamp before ffiaMin, the office. Defendant said that Ift had to watch the road when ht- - riding a motor cycle and could not hoar the constable c-all out on account of the noise of the engine. He got home at 0.10 p.m. . , M’o Sergeant Murray witness soul ] lO lit his lamp on leaving the office as a matter of precaution. His Worship said there was no doubt that'the constable' acted rightly and he had a- watch and the defendant had not. There was an absolute alv sence of light, ana how that c<.n about had been tentatively cnP ‘V.”P, by the defendant, who -said t,K J'vm had bumped out. A small fine v«mW moot tlm case. Defendant was fined os and 7s costs. _____