DUNEDIN POLICE COURT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3102, 27 August 1913, Page 58

DUNEDIN POLICE COURT.

Monday, August 18. (Before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.) Motor Launch Thetts.—John Smith appeared on remand on a charge of having stolen six earthenware cells, one electric coil, ano electric switch, the total value of £5, the property of John Symonds; and also with having stolen one magneto valued at £5, the property of William Melville. —This accused was further conjointly charged with William James Matthews with having stolen a “ Seal ” motor oil engine, valued at £2O, the property of James M'Callion. —In regard to the last-mentioned offence Chiefdetective Herbert said the circumstances wore similar to those in the other cases. The owner of the motor engine was a resident of North-East Valley, and on Juno 29 he loft his motor launch high and dry on the reclaimed land fronting the harbour. On July 2 tho engine was missed, and subsequently Matthews made a statement to tho police which enabled them to recover tho engine. When the engine was recovered it was found that an important part had been broken. No one had any authority to remove the engine. When first arrested tho accused denied any knowledge of tho engine, and it was only since the younger accused was before the court that he admitted the theft—Mr Irwin, who appeared for Smith, stated that ho had been a tool for Matthews in these thefts. The latter had suggested to Smith that he should say' nothing about these thefts to anyone, and Smith had agreed to th : s. He submitted that Smith should be given an opportunity to reform. He was concerned in a series, of thefts which bad been committed at tho same time, hut which had mostly been made by tho other accused, who also proposed the theft of the engine If given an opportunity Smith would set to work to pay off the cost of tho goods stolen.—Matthews had previously been recommitted to the Burnham Industrial School and ordered to be detained for reformative treatment.—ln answer to the Magistrate Chief-dctcctive Herbert stated that the engine was irreparably damaged, and it was in good order when the owner last saw it. Tho co«t of the sto’en articles not recovered was £lO. — The Magistrate convicted Smith and ordered him to come up for sentence at any time within 12 months, the conditions being that ho was of good behaviour and paid £lO towards tho cost of the articles stolen.

Monday. August 25. (Before Mr J. H. Bartholomew, S.M.) Defence Cases. —James Jepson and Peter Scott pleaded guilty to failing to attend the parados of their company in the Senior Cadets, but explained that they had been examined for the Territorials.—Captain Hickey explained to the court that Scott had attended drills well last year, but Jepson had not been quite so regular.—Each was convicted and discharged conditionally upon promising to attend drills in future. Charles M’Guire, who did not appear, was lined 10s, with costs (7s), for a similar offence. David Earquharson, for failing to render personal service, was fined 10s, with costs (7s), and James Potter was similarly dealt with. —A charge of failing to register under the Defence Act, was preferred against Mark Chalmers, who failed to appear.—Captain Hickey explained to the court that from inquiries made it had been ascertained that the defendant had left the district and was somewhere in the country at the back of Oarnaru. They had every reason for believing that Chalmers was doing his best to evade the law. Ho pressed for a full penalty.—Mr Bartholomew expressed the opinion that the time limit for bringing this case had been exceeded. He w r ould, however, look into the matter and give his decision in the course of a few days.—Exemption from parades for a period of 12 months was granted to 11. Holland on the recommendation of Sergeant-major Wainhouse, who appeared under instructions from Captain Sandlo. —A similar application by William White was adjourned for a week.