POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17040, 23 December 1918, Page 10

POLICE COURT NEWS.

CHARGE OF SHOP-LIFTING.

ELDERLY WOMAN'S LAPSE.

Theft of a silk handkerchief, valued at 3s 6d, the property of Rendells, Ltd., was admitted by a married woman, aged 76, before Mr. J. E. Wilson, S.M., at tho Police Court on Saturday. It was stated that the accused, who had means, picked up the article from a counter and was just leaving the shop when accosted by the manager. She had previously borne an excellent character. The magistrate said he did not desire to enter a conviction against an old woman who had not been in trouble before, and therefore 'he would dismiss the charge, which should act as a warning to the accused not to be carried away by- temptation. A charge that he was an idle and disorderly person, in that he solicited alms in Queen Street, was preferred against ; Thomas King. Evidence was given that accused asked three soldiers for money, and, upon meeting with a refusal, used insulting language, 03 the condition that h? left the town immediately, King was {convicted and ordered to come up. for sen;tence when called on.

For drunkenness, Daniel McParlane was ; fined £2, in. default seven days' imprisonj ment. ' Mary A.-McMasters was fined £1 for procuring liquor while prohibited, and for being drunk she was convicted and discharged. John J. Poland was fined £1 ! for committing an indecent act in Vincent Street, and for drunkenness he was convicted and discharged. A fifteen-year-old girl, who, on Thursday, wag found guilty of having stolen various sums of money which were paid to her on behalf of tier employers, was committed to an industrial school, the ! order to be suspended on cond-tion that she remained at the Door of Hope institution for 12 months. The magistrate, who did not enter a conviction, said it was clear that accused possessed little moral sense and required a supervision and control which she was not getting at home. He would not make an order for restitution of the amount stolen, as he considered the accused's employers were partially blameworthy in allowing a girl of her aee to handle and collect money without keeping a check on her which might prevent any submission on her part to a natural temptation.