MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 231, 30 August 1937, Page 8

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

MISCELLANEOUS CASES. Messrs J. A. Nash and N. Blackmore, J.P.’s, presided at a sitting of the Magistrate’s Court to-day. James St. Clair Williamson,, alias Arthur Stanford, alias Patrick James Ogle, was charged with the theft of a suitcase and a fur coat valued at £22 10s, the property of Marie Isabell Villars; the theft of a man’s overcoat and scarf valued at £3, the property of a person unknown; and the theft of an overcoat, travelling rug and scarf, the property of Joseph Matthew Barrett. Accused pleaded guilty to the first and third charges and the second charge -was withdrawn, as it related to tne same circumstances as the third. Detective-Sergeant Meiklejohn asked that the first charge be amended to read “to the value of £20.” That was done. The detective-sergeant said accused had drawn £1 sustenance and, after drinking, had gone through an hotel. Later a guest had missed a fur coat and a suitcase which accused had attempted to sell in two second-hand shops. Accused had been wearing an overcoat (produced), and a rug had also been found in his room. Accused had been before the Court on quuo a number of occasions.. A complaint that the coat, rug and 6carf had been stolen, from a car in the street had been received after the second charge had been laid. Accused had a. long list of convictions, said Mr Nash, who commented that the list was not very creditable. No doubt accused’s having given way to drink had been responsible to a certain degree, but he should learn to keep away from liquor. Accused was sentenced to three months ljard Ja " bour, an order being made for tne return of the property. , T + , John Ruddick, of Palmerston North was charged w’ith failing to give way to traffic on his right on August 4. Defendant pleaded guilty. Senior-ber-geant Mclntyre said it was not a bad case. Defendant was fined 10s, with 10s Court costs. G. M. Mitchell, Kairanga, was charged with driving a motor-car on July 2 when not ' the holder of a driver’s license. —Defendant pleaded guilty by letter and was fined 10s, with 12s costs. J. Whiti, of Shannon, was charged with riding a bicycle at night without a light. A fine of 10s was imposed, with costs 17s. _ T .I Walter Dudley, of Palmerston North, was charged with operating a heavy motor-vehicle at a greater speed than the maximum allowed, on July 22.. Mr J. W. C-oddington, traffic inspector employed by the Transport Department, gave evidence that the speed of the vehicle had been 40 to 43 miles an hour. The limit was 30 miles an hour. Defendant pleaded guilty by letter and was fined £2, with 10s costs. J. W. Morrison, of Auckland, was charged with failing to give way to traffic on his right, on July 15, in Palmerston North.—Mr G. Cuossley put in a letter from defendant in which he explained the circumstances and pleaded guilty. The fine inflicted was £l, with 10s costs.