COURTS AND OFFENCES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 7 January 1928, Page 7

COURTS AND OFFENCES.

CIRCUS HANDS CHARGED WITH THEFT. (by TELEGRAPn—PBEBH ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 7. Certain petty thieving which, coinciding with the visit of Wirth’s Circus to places in the South Island, resulted in a search warrant being issued in Wellington yesterday. The warrant was executed by Detective-Sergeant Jarrold and other detectives, and sever ;|l travelling rugs, shirts, collars and gloves were taken possession of by the police. Three circus hands, Robert Edward Butcher, aged 20, Robert Landford, aged 31, and Ernest Sydney Stewart, aged 30, were arrested and charged with having received property knowing it to have been dishonestly obtained. They were remanded to-day till Januarv’ .10. Two charges involving property to the value of £2l were made against Lnndforcl, Stewart was charged ■with receiving property valued at £2, and Butcher property valued at £2 0s Gd.

ARSON ALLEGED. AUCKLAND, Jan. 7. Frederick Watkins, aged 60, was charged at the Police Court that he did yesterday wilfully attempt to set lire to a dwelling house in Union Street occupied by Maria Bottles. Sub-Inspector McCarthy stated that the case presented some unusual features. There seemed little doubt that the accuse*! attempted to set the house on fire, but the reason was not at present clear. He asked for a remand till Tuesday, which was granted, to enable further inquiries to be made. IMPRISONMENT FOR DEFAULTING MOTORIST. (by telegraph—press association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 7. George Nevill, who pleaded guilty to being drunk while in charge of a motor car, was sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment, hi£ license was cancelled and he was prohibited from getting another tor five years. The police isaid he' had been fined last year for a similar oence.

On a charge of breaking a prohibition order he was convicted and discharged.