MAGISTRATE’S COURT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8683, 17 March 1914, Page 8

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Yesterday’s sitting of the Magistrate’s Court was presided over by Mr D. G. A. Cooper, S.M. For drunkenness, Annie Peet, with one previous conviction, was convicted and fined 10s, or forty-eight hours’ detention. Michael McMahon, with two previous convictions to his name, was fined £l, or seven days’ imprisonment, while a similar penalty was imposed on Charles William Hill, a prohibited person, for a like offence, the default being fixed at forty-eight hours’ detention. THEFT CHARGES.

A wharf labourer named Hugh McDonald admitted stealing a. £lO note, the property of Harry George Rackstraw.

Chief-Detective Broherg, who prosecuted, said that Mr Racksiraw was living at a boardinghouse in Ghuznee street, and on the, night in question he went to bed, leaving over £2O in his clothes. When ho got up he found the money was missing. _ Accused, with whom he was on friendly terms, lived in the same house and occupied the room opposite him. When questioned hy detectives accused denied stealing the £2O, hut admitted that ho had picked up a £lO note on the floor.- It was more than likely, added the chief-detective, that he had picked it up from Eackstraw’s clothes. Practically none of the money had been recovered, accused only having Is 6d in his possession when arrested. The Magistrate; Defendant will be sentenced, to two months’ imprisonment.

Prisoner: Can I hare time to pay, Your "Worship? The Magistrate: Time to payl You’ve got two months in prison. Theft of a bag of coal valued at 2s, the property of the Wellington City Council, formed the basis of a charge against a ytfang man named John McNelis. Accused, who was represented by Mr P. W. Jackson, pleaded not guilty. Ooiiusel, contended that it was not proved that the icooll belonged to the City Council. The Magistrate upheld this view, and dismissed the information.