CITY POLICE COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19550, 5 August 1925, Page 4

CITY POLICE COURT.

Tuesday, August 4. (Before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.; Drunkenness.—A first offender was fined 10s or 24 hours’ imprisonmnet. An Example to Others.—Henry Price was charged with stealing a watch_ and chain, valued at £5, from William Fowler. —The accused pleaded guilty and elected to bo dealt with summarily.—Chief-detectivo Lewis said that the accused was 45 years of age, and was an inmate of the Benevolent Institution. He had been there since about 1916, 'll l ® institution was governed by a board, and the board had had considerable difficulty in regard to things going omissing from the institution. The hoard had therefore decided to call in the assistance of the police. The accused had stated that he had found the watch and chain in some washing. They had belonged to another inmate, who was 81 years cf age. The accused, when interviewed by the police, said ho had sold the 'watch for 4r, 6d to a man whom he did not know. Tie had also stated that he had given the articles to a man at the wharf, and asked him to repair the watch. The fact remained that the accused on the date in question had come into town and had got drunk, evidently on the proceeds of the sale of the stolen articles. Suspicion had rested on him, and ho had admitted taking the watch ard chain. The board considered that something should ho done to step this sort of thing, and wanted it to bo understood that it was not going to deal lightly with thieving at the institution. The accused had no regular means of support. Ho was not bright mentally, hut was quite strong physically.—The Magistrate : Ho appears to be a young man to be in the institution. —Mr T. G. Gumming, probation officer, said the accused had had a serious illness, and had been transferred from the Hospital to the institution.—The Manager of the institution said the accused was very much addicted to drink Ho evidently secured money 'by the proceeds of theft.—Chlof-dctoctivo Bowis said the accused would be able to go back to the institution. —The Accused said he would bo able to get back the watch and chain.--The Magistrate said the accused would be admitted to probation for a period of 12 months. He would have to stop getting drunk and bo of good behaviour, otherwise ho would bo brought before the court and bo dealt with. If he did not assist the police to get back the watch and chain he would also be brought before the court and dealt with.