POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19321, 7 May 1926, Page 14

POLICE COURT NEWS.

PROBATION FOR THEFT. YOUNG MAN GIVEN A CHANCE WARNING BY THE MAGISTRATE. " You can thank the probation officer that you are not going to gaol for six months on each charge," said Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the' Police Court yesterday' in admitting John Furley, aged 19, to two years' probation on two charges of stealing money totalling £l9 2s 4d. Accused was before the Court last week and admitted stealing five sums of money totalling £37. He was remanded until yesterday pending the report of the probation officer. " If you do not do exactly as the probation officer tells you you will be brought here again and I will send you to gaol for a year," stated the magistrate. Accused was ordered to make restitution. SECOND-HAND DEALER FINED. Eight charges involving breaches of the Second-hand Dealers Act were admitted by Thomas McCornb (Mr. J. F. W. Dickson). Four of the charges were for failing to record required particulars concerning the purchase of bicycles, three were for carrying on the business of a second-hand dealer without a license, and one for not having the. proper sign of business. Chief-Detective Cummings said accused had a license which expired on February 18. lie carried on after that without a license, and did not keep a faithful record as required under the Act. The penalty for each offence was £5. Counsel submitted that it was accused's first offence and he would not do it again. There had been sickness in his family. "The trouble is that there are quite a number of them not complying with the law," said the chief-detective. " Weil, you prosecute them," replied the magistrate. Accused was fined .£1 on one charge of not keeping- adequate records and £1 on one of trading without a license. .He was' convicted and discharged on the others.

DAMAGE TO WINDOWS. .. I do not know who broke the glass; I was hit on the head; with a bottle and-remember nothing more," said Alfred Shepherd, aged 56, when charged with wilfully damaging three panes of glas3 valued at 2s 9d. the property of James Grant. Accused appeared with his head heavily bandaged. Complainant said when he came home on Wednesday afternoon he found accused and a woman in his house. The panes of glass were broken and accused and the woman were both cut about the head and hands. " I will, adjourn the matter for a week," said the magistrate. " We.'will see how matters stand then." CHARGES OF VAGRANCY. "William Stewart Lee was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon on a charge of being idle and disorderly in that he was in Welles - ley Street for the purpose of begging aims. Accused assured the magistrate that he had a job to go to. "Tie has been out of work for two months and has been sleeping out," said Chief-Detective Cummings when William Shannon, aged 62, admitted a charge of vagrancy. Accused was remanded for h week in order that he - might' get a II clean tip." " '■ " Drink is his worst offence," said the chief detective in the. case of John Collie, aged 57, who was. charged with vagrancy. Accused was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called on. TWO CASES REMANDED. Mention was made of a case against James Murdoch Cryson involving nine charges of theft of various articles valued at £SO 12s. The. chief detective said accused was bring extradited from Australia and was leaving there to-day for Auckland. A remand was granted until next Thursday. Charges of breaking' and entering the counting house of the Fletcher Construction Company with intent to commit a crime were preferred against Reginald Clarence Watson, aged 20 (Mr. Schramm), and George Edward Welch, aged 26 (Mr. Matthews). The accused were remanded until next ' Thursday. Mr. Matthews asked for bail in the case of his client but this was refused. The magistrate said the case was too serious. A charge of driving in a manner dangerous to the public brought against Frederick Oliver (Mr. Holmden), in the Police (Jcurt on Wednesday was dismissed by; the magistrate.