POLICE COURT

Southland Times, Issue 14370, 17 March 1910, Page 2

POLICE COURT

WEDNESDAY. 16 th MARCH.

(Before Mr G. Cruiekshank, S.AL, ami Air A. Christophers, J.P.)

COAIAIITTED FOR TRIAL.

Charles W. Alorgan was charged lhat On 12th March he did indecently assault a girl aged 10 years and 5 months.

Detective Cameron conducted the prosecution, and Mr A. B. Haggitt appeared for tlte defendant. Detective Cameron explained that on Saturday last the girl was sent with her brother aged 7 years on a message for their mother to Freddy’s store in East Invercargill. On 1 the' way they met the accused, who was taking Uis two horses to the stable. Accused gave the little boy a ride so far on the way and then sent him to undertake the message to the grocer’s, while accused, taking the little girl with him, had watered his horses and taken them to the stable. In the stable lie had* indecently handled the girl and the little boy had come in and seen him. Afterwards he had taken her for a ride on his bicycle, saying that lie would show her a bird’s nest in Victoria Avenue, and had there indecently bandied the girl again. He had told the girl to stay in the trees until he whistled to her to come out, had told her not to tell her mother, and had promised to give her a ride on his bicycle again at 9 o'clock on the Alonday morning. Evidence to this effect-was given by the girl and by her brother. The mother of the girl, a widow, said In corroborative .evidence that she had sent the two children to Freddy's store about three o’clock on the Saturday afternoon. The boy returned with the things, but his sister did not return until about five o'clock. AV lien asked by witness why she was late she had not replied. About seven o'clock in the evening witness said. "Where have you been ?” She. replied, "Away with Air Morgan.” Witness asked, “What doing ?” and the girl had answered, “I’ve been getting a ride on a bicycle." Witness asked, "What did you want to go With Air Alorgan for ?” The girl said, ‘‘He toid me to come and he would get me a bird’s nest.” Witness asked. ‘‘Where did he take you to 7” and was answered, “Away down by the Park School, at the back of the bowling green Shed.” Witness said, “Did you get the bird’s nest ?” and siie replied. No. Witness then said, “Now, Gladys, tell me the truth ; I’m afraid that something has happened to you, because Bertie (the boy) told me that Air Alorgan kissed you. Did Air Alorgan say anything to you when you were at the back of the shed." She said, “Yes, mother. He asked me to kneel down.” The rest of the evidence referred to the Indecent handling that was the subject of the charge. The matter was reported to the police the same evening. Evidence was also given by Detective Cameron, who stated that at nine o’clock on the Alonday morning following the Saturday on which the girl’s mother had interviewed him he followed a young man (whom ho believed to be accused), who came out of a gate in North Invercargill, and took the girl on Ms bicycle towards the Park School. The accused reserved his defence, and was committed for trial at the June sitting of the Supreme Court. Bail wag fixed in two sureties of £IOO, and ■was shortly forthcoming. STEALING FRUIT.

Samuel Ramsay and John Robertson were charged with theft of fruit to the value of £3, the property of William Blrss.

Detective Cameron said that six boys altogether had, somewhere about midnight, gone to Mr Birss’s garden in Dalrymple Road, and had stolon the fruit. They shook the trees and obtained much more than they required. Much of it, was not ripe. One of the party had thrown fruit on the roof. They had. when Interviewed by the police, admitted their wrongdoing. Nothing previously was known against these two lads. Considerable annoyance had been caused in South Invercargill by the raids of young fellows on fruit wardens. ° Mr Geo. McDonald begged for leniency for the boys. They had been attracted by the ripe plums. Their fathers were willing to fall in with any suggestion His Worship might make. Each defendant was convicted and fined £1 and ordered to pay £1 damages, the money io be paid in eight weekly instalments of ss.

Another member 'of the party, a juvenile, who had previously been before the Court and convicted of theft, was similarly dealt with. and was warned by the Magistrate that the next offence would be punished by a term of Imprisonment. INDECENT LANGUAGE.

John Tomlins was charged with using indecent language in Ann street. North Invercargill, on 26th February last. — Sergeant Brookes said that it appeared that the defendant had had .some words with his wife, to whom the language mentioned in the information was addressed. A neighbour had protested, but no notice, was taken, and the police were sent for.—James Robertson and Thomas Hastings gave evidence in support of the Sergeant’s statement.—Accused said that he had had no recollection of the incident at all ; he came down from the country and had a drink or two, and didn’t know what he did say. Pie consented to a prohibition order being taken out against him. and was convicted and lined £3 and £1 3s costs.

CART UNATTENDED.

John Williams, charged with leaving a horse and cart unattended in Dee street on 26th February, was convicted, ordered to pay 7s costs, and discharged.

CYCLING WITHOUT LIGHTS,

Charles Goldsmith, 21 years of age, charged with cycling without a light in Tay street on 6th February; was convicted and fined £1 and 7s costs.

SECOND-HAND DEALER IN TROUBLE.

Simon Flett, a licensed second-hand dealer, whose premises are in Tay street was charged with failing to display a board allowing clearly his name and the fact that he was a second-hand dealer. Ho admitted the offence, but stated that he'was ignorant of the law. He had a board, but kept It inside, as he was not to be long in his present premises. Sergeant Brookes informed the Court that the defendant had twice been warned about his failure to observe the requirements of the law. The Magistrate convicted defendant and ordered him to pay 7s costs, and at the same time suggested the advisability of the purchase of a copy of the Act/ which at Od would be cheaper than a fine.