CITY POLICE COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19258, 23 August 1924, Page 17

CITY POLICE COURT.

Fiudat, August 22. (Before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.) Drunkenness—Thomas Hector M'Caughan, who is at present an inmate of a sanitoriura, pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness. The accused, who had been before the court twice previously this year, was convicted and discharged, and was warned that if he, camo before the court again on a similar charge he would probably be sent to Koto Roa. Cycling on a 'Footpath—John James Christie was fined ss, with costs (7s) on a charge of riding a bicycle on the footpath at North-East Valley. Motorists in Trouble —Allred Duncan ■ was fined ss, with costs (7s) for being in charge of an unlightcd motor car in Puinces street. Arthur Nevilflo Lamb was hned 6s with costs (7s) on a similar charge, and war; convicted on a charge of using a motor car without the registered number being affixed in tho prescribed manner. In the latter case it was explained that an old motor car which had been used in connection with the capping celebrations had broken down, and had been left in Craw-ford street. — Hillary Browne was fined 20s and costs (7s) for driving a motor car on the wrong side of the road when turning from Princes street into h/ower High street. It was stated that defendant, who did not appear, did not obey the signal.— William Williamson was charged with driving a motor car at a greater speed than six miles an hour when crossing the intersection of George a.nd St. David streets, and with using a motor cycle upon which the rear number was not easily distinguishable.—Evidence having been given by the police in the course of which it was stated that defendant had been travelling at 25 to 30 miles an hour, a fine of 40s and costs. (7s) was imposed in the first case, and of 5s and costs (7s) in tho second. Charges of Theft—Michael Joseph Shannon, who was convicted on Monday on a charge of stealing an overcoat, valued at £4 15s, the property of Leslie Neilson Harris, was brought" before tho court for sentence.—Mr Bayleo appeared for the accused.—The acting probation officer (the Rev. G. Moreton) stated that the accused was formerly employed with Wirth’s Circus, and had been in Dunedin for some time. He had been working as a porter at the Wharf Hotel, but ho seemed to have given way to drink on numerous occasions, with tho result that he got into trouble. Ho had been associating at times with women of questionable character, and had been frequenting certain dance halls. In view of the youth of tho accused, he (Mr Moreton) recommended probation, but the terms must bo drastic.—ln 'reply to tho magistrate, Hie accused said ho was 24 years of ago.— His ’Worship said this was a case of sneakthieving, which was difficult, io detect, and the accused had made matters worse by coming into court and telling lies. He would take the probation officer's ;c----port into consideration. .But for that nc would have no hesitation in sending tho accused to gaol for a month, which lie deserved. Tho accused would bo admitted to probation for two years, and daring that time he would be subject to a prohibition order and would not bo allowed to attend public dances.—Austin Thomas William Holbrook, who had pleaded guilty on Monday to a charge of stealing a watch and chain, valued at 10s, and a razor and blades, valued at £1 14s, tho property of Hugh M’Rwan, also camo up for sentence.—The Rev. Mr Moreton stated that he had provided the accused with food and shelter from tun 9to time.. The accused seemed to have been drifting from one social worker to another.—His Worship asked if .here was no homo to which the accused could go.—Ensign. Coombs said tho accused was a splendid worker, but was of weak character. The Salvation Army had no li .no here, but it had an industrial home at Addington, and the accused could bo sent there.—-Tho accused was con icted and ordered to come up for sentence at anv time within two years on condition that he remained in the Salvation Army homo at Addington for that time. An order was made that 4s fid, the money advanced by a dealer on the stolen goods, should be refunded within three months.—Alfred Thomas Bell, who had been before tho court on Monday, was charged with tho thofi of a. pair of ladies’ boots and one Panama hat, valued at £l, the property of the. St. John Ambulance Association. —Owing to counsel for the accused (Mr Hanlon) being at Port Chalmers, the accused was remanded till Monday. ’ Bail was allowed as before.—Accused 'in his own recognisance of £25 nod on surety of £25. * I