CITY POLICE COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18541, 29 April 1922, Page 6

CITY POLICE COURT

Friday, April. 28. (Before Mr H. W. Bundle. S.M.) A Despicable Thief. —William Arthur Williams pleaded guilty to three charges of theft, and one of attempted theft, from the Dunedin Bowling Club pavilion.—Subinspector Eccles sajd that ■ the case was one of systematic thieving from bowlers’ coats which were left in the pavilion. On the evening of April 15 Constable Aitehisou saw accused remove two letters, which he replaced. On seeing Aitehisou, accused began scribbling on a book. On his arrest a diary was found- in his possessions, which, it was subsequently ascertained, was the property of another member, from whose pocket it had been taken. This diary had not been recovered, although it only contained information valuable to its owner. A silver matchbox belonging to Peter Miller, which had been taken on Old Bowlers’ Day, was found in the accused’s house. On that day also Peter Gunn Prydc had lost a wallet containing 30s, and again in November this member had lost another wallet containing a sum of £l. The subinspector understood that the accused was slightly addicted to drink. He was a married man with five children. The thefts, the sub-inspector continued, which were mean and despicable, committed between November and April 16. —Mr F. G. Gumming, the probation officer, in handing his report to the magistrate, explained that he made a recommendation solely on account of the accused’s wife and family.— The magistrate said that Williams had been, convicted of most despicable thefts, and a man who was guilty of committing petty sneak thefts such as the accused had done did not deserve any consideration. Hie consideration he did receive was on account of his wife and children, and the probation officer’s report. He would be admitted to probation for two years, on the condition that he took out a prohibition order, and made restitution of the. £3 10s stolen from Mr Pryde. Accused has also got to pay £5 towards the cost of the prosecution, three months being allowed for payment. Drunken Firewood Carters.—Albert Norman Sutherland was charged with disorderly behaviour while drunk.—Sub-inspector Eccles said that Sutherland and a man named Matthews had been out, in a cart selling firewood, and. after visiting several hotels, they became intoxicated . A quarrel arose as to the disposition of some bottles of beer, and Sutherland hit Matthews over the head with one of them. A little later Sutherland was found “mad” drunk, and was rushing about with vdry -little clothing on. He was at present on three years’ probation, one of the conditions being that he refrained from drinking. On this occasion there was not much difference between Sutherland and Matthews as far as their conduct was concerned. —The probation officer. Mr Gumming, stated that the defendant had been reporting satisfactorily; it was his intention to sell out and go into the country. He had not known what "refraining from liquor” really meant.:— Sutherland was lined £3, in default three days’ imprisonment, a prohibition order to be taken out.

Window Gratings Stolen.—Arthur Ernest Liddicoat, who pleaded not guilty to stealing three iron window gratings, of a total value of 30s, the property of Luke Clyde Hazlett. stated dial he had intended to return them.—John Rhodes, a building contractor, said that lie was engaged in altering a shop at the corner of Stuart and Dunbar streets, and accused had been working on me job. The three gratings were missed, and witness reported the matter to the police. On being question by the detectives accused .admitted to witness that he had taken them. —Plain-clothes Constable Sneddon said that he had found the gratings in accused's yard. On Liddicoat returning home he was accompanied by an expressman, and said be was going to return the gratings. This was after the police had inquired into the matter. —Accused said that he took a loan of the gratings to prevent fowls getting on his garden.—Mr Bundle said that he was satisfied accused took the gratings thinking they would never bo noticed. Accused had been before the court previously, l and the magistrate wished to have a report about him. Accused was remanded till to-day. A Charge Amended.—ln connection with a charge against Allan Bedford, the licensee of the Southern Hotel, who was charged on Monday with attempting to sell liquor after hours, the magistrate intimated that he had approved of the amendnient to the charge asked _ for by the police, and to which Mr. Irwin hud no objection, making it a straight-out charge of selling the liquor.— The case was further adjourned for one week.

Joint Charge Withdrawn. —A charge against Phillip M'Laughlin and Thomas Hussey Inat they used threatening behaviour in Princes street was withdrawn on the application of Sub-inspector Eccles. —The snb-inspcctor said that the defendant M’Laughlan had been ill in the hospital, but not as the result of the affair, and utissey could not be found. The oreach of tile peace‘-was not a very serious one. Desertion from H.M.S. Chatham.—Albert Edward Bloss Dix,a stoker on board H.M.S. Chatham, was charged with having, at Devonport, Auckland, been absent from his .vessel without leave, —He was ordered to be returned to the cruiser at Devonport. Defence Act Obligations.—For failing to render personal service as required under the Defence Act, Hector Ross Moore, who had several previous convictions, was fined £5 and costs (7s), and William George Riddle 10s and costs (7s).—Similar charges against Thomas Hoare, John David Dang, and Archibald Taylor were adjourned for three months, and a charge against John Taylor was dismissed.

Licensing Act.—John‘Hope was charged with sending liquor into Bruce, a no-license district without giving the proper notice.— He was fined 10a and costs (7s). on it being explained that his daughter had made a mistake.

Breach of Prohibition Order.—Frederick Peterson pleaded guilty to a charge of being on licensed premises during the currency of a prohibition order.—He was fined 40s and costs (7s). Breaches of By-laws.—Martin George Kofoed, who was charged with driving a motor car on the wrong side of the street, was fined 10s and costs (7s). For a similar offence while driving a horse and cart Michael Joseph was also fined 10s and costs (7s). Maintenance Claims.—Alexander Ramsay appeared on remand on a charge of failing to provide adequate maintenance for his illegitimate child. —Mr Irwin, who appeared for the defendant, sain that bis client, was willing to consent to an order, and had made offers which were refused.—An order was made for 10s a week, to date from the week of the birth of the child, with £9 maternity expenses and £3 3s doctor's fee. An application was made for an ex parte order for maintenance, separation, and guardanianship against Norman Cadman, who was said to have left New Zealand. —

Mr Ward appeared for the wife.-, and after she had given evidence the magistrate made the orders, with 30s a week maintenance.— An application was made for separation, maintenance. and, guardianship orders against William Stewart Horne Paulin, who did not appear. —Mr Irwin appeared r or the wife, who gave evdence. the magistrate making the orders, with 50s a week maintenance, and £lO past maintenance. James Alexander Johnston (an- O’. J. While), appeared on a complaint for separation and maintenance. —Chief-detective Bishop, in asking for a remand, said,that two warrants had neon issued for defendant’s arrest, and the police were investigating as to whether he had committed bigamv.-Defendant asked for bail.—Mr Irwin said he appeared for the second wife in a matter of maintenance, and that she was anxious that Johnston should not get bail.—Bail was refused, and the case adjourned till May 5.