POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16969, 1 October 1918, Page 3

POLICE COURT NEWS.

CHARGE OF THEFT DISMISSED. i A OHAROB of stealing three sets of beads, j valued at 10s, was denied by a letter- , carrier, William 0. Plowman (Mr, R. Mo- ■ Veagh), aged 17, in the Police Court ; yesterday, before Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M. Evidence was given to the effect that an ; empiy canvas bag,, addressed to a Takapuna resident, was found in defendant's , mail-bag. When asked for an explanation, he laid that was the first time he had seen it. Wheu questioned by Detective-:. Sergeant Hammond, defendant saifl he had! found some loose beads in lite bag 10 or 12 days previously, but he had not seen I the packet until it was handed to him by j the postmaster. He had put the beads in his overcoat and forgotten all about them until then. A'hen the detective went to his home tho beads were in the place Stated by defendant. Defendant repeated his statement to tho _ detective, and after evidence had been given as to the good character borne by defendant, the magistrate said there were certain doubtful circumstances, one of which was defendant's iailure to return the be&flß for 10 days. Defendant had been iiceedingly negligent of hia official duties; but the magistrate said r« preferred to take a charitable view of the mattej and dismissed the char tf "I plead guilt v on the ground of temporary insanity, ,f said Florence V. Copedo, a young man, when charged with assaulting J. Negus, and using indecent language. The evidence showed that defendant was arguing with people on a tramcar, and became abusive. When the oar reached Newmarket defendant struck Negus on the face and made off. Defendant said he could only attribute the trouble to nervous trouble. He was fined £2 and 15s costs. Seven aliens, who had neglected to register within the statutory time, were convicted and discharged. > On a charge of assaulting Robert Lavelle, so as to causo actual bodily harm, Htleh McLaughlin (Mr. Moody), was remanded for a week, the police static; that tie injured man was still in hospito 1 Bail was refused. On a charge of vagrancy, Margaret Williams, who was stated to have 172 convi.rfons against her, was aentciuedtol three months' imprisonment. For being I disorderly while drunk, Rihiri N. Erineij I wtw fined £2. dames Meldrum, % being, I drank and xmiag obscene language while' I prohibited, was-fined £2 15s. Sir first! offending inebriates were dealt with. |