MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 52, 28 January 1933, Page 12

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

THEFT OF CYCLE. Boforo Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., at tlio Magistrate’s Court yostorday, a young man appeared to answer a ohurgo that, on or about the month of Juno or July, 1931, at Palmerston North, lm stole a • cycle. Mr Cooper, who appeared for accused, entered a ploa ol guilty. Counsel, in outlining tlio circumstances loading up to accused taking possession of tlio cycle for his own use, stated that accused was a young man who enjoyed mi excellent reputation. Tho bicycle had been found lying outside tho gates of premises and, alter making enquiries of his partner, accused bad taken it inside. Later, finding it m the way, lie had transferred it to the rear of the promises where it had lain ten some months prior to accused using it. Accused now realised that lie should have reported the finding of the cycle, but as the machine lmd been in a rusty condition lie bad presumed that it bad boon discarded. In view of the circumstances counsel suggested that tho position might be met by a fine. Senior-Sergeant Wbitoliouso stated that ho did not agree with counsel as to some of tho facts. Tho cycle had boon left lower down Rangitikoi Street and. on missing it, tho owner lmd reported tho matter to ttie police who had failed to trace it. The rightful owner had recognised it on the 2lst inst and on questioning accused had been informed that it was in his possession for three years. Being a bustness man, aroused must have known that it was his duty to report the findiug of the cycle, yet lie had kept it ■some time and had made certain I alterations before using it. Tho Magistrate: 1 think the position can bo mot with a fine, of £5. An order was also made for the return of the cycle to its rightful owner. SEEKING DEPORTATION. Four charges of false pretences were preterred against Charles Ownes, an American, no years of age, who was described as a motor mechanic. Two of tlio charges were concerning incidents alleged to have taken place at l’etone and' Wellington, and lie was remanded to appear in the Empire City on February a to answer them. The two other charges preterred against him were that, on January 22 at Palmerston North, in incurring a certain debt to the value of 5- by the hiring of a taxi, no did obtain credit by fraud from A. \Y. Swan in that lie stated that • he was in Palmerston North with Mi's Telford’s horses from Hawke’s Bay, and. secondly, that on January 21 at Palmerston North, with intent to defraud by means of a certain false pretence, to wit by falsely representing that ho. was in Palmerston North in charge of .Mrs Telford’s horses, lie did obtain the sum of ISs from 11. M. Parlane. Accused pleaded not guilty to both charges. Evidence was given by A. W. Swan, a taxi-driver, that he had been hired hy accused on the date in question. He had driven accused to and from certain hotels, being finally ordered to return for payment 20 minutes later. However, on doing so, witness found that his fare had disappeared. Detective Barling stated that. in company with Senior-Detective Quirke, he had accosted accused on the road between Awal uri and Fsilding on Sunday, the 22nd inst., when the latter had admitted that “lie put the story across” Swan and other people. Accused had admitted that the statements were incorrect in that he had not any connection with Mrs Telford’s stable. Last night, added witness, it was accused’s intention to plead guilty. H. M. Parlane gave evidence that on Saturday, 21st inst., accused had come into the' store at which witness was employed when he had explained that he was in town with Mrs Telford’s horses and was taking horses back to America. However, lie wanted money to buy benzine for his car which was parked outside the town. Witness had given accused ISs in money. Accused, addressing the Magistrate, explained that he thought that ho had paid the taxi-driver. However. he could not recall anything about the second incident. .having been very drunk. “Sineo being in this country drink lias been my trouble,” added hocused, who enquired whether the Magistrate had the power to deport him to America.

The Magistrate: You were not too drunk to tell a convincing tale. Yon will be sentenced to a month’s imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to be cumulative. “How can T get hack to America.” asked accused on emerging from the nrisoner’s dock.

The Magistrate: I am afraid you will hare to work your way hack. Aroused: There is nothing to work mv way on.

The "Magistrate: There are nice, modern steamers.