CITY POLICE COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20930, 21 January 1930, Page 5

CITY POLICE COURT.

Monday, Januaby 20. (Before Mr h! W. Bundle,. S.M.) - PICNIC FUNDS STOLEN. Donald Stuart M’Lean, for whom Mr White, appeared, pleaded, guilty to a charge of stealing the sum of £lO 14s 6d, the property of the Combined Railway Picnic Committee.—Chief Detective Cameron said that the accused had been employed as secretary to the committee for about three years. Apparently there had been no system of banking the funds when accused took over, and he bad-never introduced one. He was defeated for the position of secretary on November 2 last and then produced a balance sheet, which appeared to have been audited in a haphazard way, for it was found that there was no money in the bank at all,’ though the. balance sheet-showed £53 there, plus interest. ■ Some three days later accused opened an account with the hank with £1 and subsequently paid' in the balance of £52. -It was discovered, however, that two amounts, totalling £lO 14s 6d. which appeared bn the expenditure side of the balance sheet had not been paid, but accused now stated that half the amounts had been paid. . Accused was a married man; he had formerly been in the employ of the Railways Department.—Mr White said that this was the old story of’ a man getting into difficulties and dipping into moneys, intending to replace them, but getting deeper and deeper. He had been in the Railways Department for 18 years, but had lost his position on account of this trouble, The money had been kept in a bos. Accused had had illness in the family. The money-taken would be returned, with interest. Accused felt his position keenly and had been already severely punished.—The probation officer submitted a report.—Tho magistrate: There has apparently been laxity in the matter of supervision of accounts.—The chief detective: The auditors apparently did not call for vouchers or bank hook, but just accepted the accused’s statement.—The magistrate: Not much use as an audit. The report of the probation officer was favourable, he added, and accused would be admitted to probation for a period of 12 months, resitution to be made as recommended by the probation officer. —An application by Mr White for suppression of accused’s name was refused. " , • MAINTENANCE. ' James Daniel M*llroy was charged with of maintenance in respect to a child, and arrears on the order amounting to £l7 0s 9d.—Mr J. B. Thomson appeared for the defendant and Mr Irwin for the complainant.—After hearing the statements_ of counsel, the magistrate remarked that it was obvious that on his last appearance! in court, the defendant had not explained his position properly. He would be sentenced to one month's imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended provided £5 was paid forthwith and £1 per, week on the current order until the arrears were wiped off. Joseph Coory,, was charged with disobedience of a maintenance order in re®Pect of hi 6 child now under the care of the Education Department.—Defendant was sentenced to seven days’ imprison-: ment, the warrant to be suspended so long as he pays 5s per week until the balance is disposed, of. Matthew Alexander Clydesdale was proceeded against by the maintenance officer, tor- whom Mr Bay lee appeared, for default of maintenance in respect to herself the arrears on the order, being £22 2s 6d.—Mr Baylee asked the court for an opportunity to re-examine the defendant. Counsel questioned the defendant in respect to his earnings and recent visits to Christchurch and various race meetings. When the complainant entered the box the defendant conducted a voluble crossexamination of bis wife and had to be reminded- by the magistrate that he had no control over - his wife now that they 'Y er . e separated.—Mr Baylee suggested that the police should investigate the truth of defendant's statements, but the magistrate refused to give such an instruction, advising counsel to put what evidence of misrepresentation he might have before the police.—Defendant was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended so long as he pays 25a off the. arrears , until they are disposed of. Edward Smith, a seaman; who, at August 5, 1929, was £24 8s in arrears of a maintenance order in respect of an illegitimate child, was sentenced to six months, imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended if the defendant pays £35. HANDLING OF MEAT. Thomas Charles Samson (Mr Irwin) pleaded guilty to a charge of handling meat without using a, head cover.—Mr Taylor, who prosecuted, said that defendant was found handling meat on the morning of December 6 without using the cover required to be used according to the regulations issued in 1926. He had been previously warned.—Mr Irwin said the defendant had a cap, but forgot it on that particular morning and had used sacking. This was the first prosecution under the present regulations, added counsel, and the expenses were very heavy.— His Worship said, that as this was the first. prosecution in several years, defenbe fined 20s, with court costs (10s), and solicitor’s fee (£3 3s).