ALLEGED THEFT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20612, 10 January 1929, Page 10

ALLEGED THEFT

POST OFFICE CLERK CHARGED. SUPPRESSION OF NAME REFUSED, (Special to Daily Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, January 9. _ The difficulty of dealing with applications for the’ suppression of names was referred to in the Magistrates’ Court today by Mr B. D. Mosley, S.M., when he refused to make nn order in a case in which a married man was remanded on a theft charge.

Thigue John Lagan, aged 34 (Mr E. S. Bowie), appeared on a charge of stealing a postal packet containing fl Cs in postal notes. He was remanded to appear, on January. 15.

Mr Bowie asked for the suppression of hia name in the meantime.

The magistrate: He is 34 years of ace. Mr Bowie: He is a married man with two children. His mother is very ill and the shock would probably be serious. The magistrate: Mr Bowie has propounded a rather difficult problem. It really means that if I suppress this man’s name in the meantime I shall have to suppress every man’s name in similar circumstances. This man is 34 years of age. I cannot suppress his name whether or no there be a prima facie case against him. If he is finally discharged it will be better for him to have had his. name published. I don’t propose to accede to the request of counsel that the name be suppressed in every case in which a man is remanded. That is introducing a new principle altogether. It is bad enough as it is. It is making things very difficult for the court, and I am not prepared to extend the principle a'ny further than it has been extended already. Bail was allowed in self £SO and one surety of £SO.