WYNDHAM COURT

Southland Times, Issue 19157, 29 January 1924, Page 2

WYNDHAM COURT

YESTERDAY’S CASES. A sitting of the Magistrate’s Court was conducted by Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., at Wyndham yesterday, when the following cases were held:— CIVIL BUSINESS. Claims were made on the estate of Amelia Ann Leonard by James Henderson Baird £23 3/-, medical attendances, and Charles Reid Leonard £4O 12/- nursing fees. The plaintiffs were represented by Mr Smith and the estates by the trustees, Annie Caird and F. McKelog (Mr Davey). The late Mrs Leonard kept a maternity home in Wyndham, the house being provided by C. R. Leonard. The plaintiffs submitted that the accounts were a charge on the separate estate of deceased, while the defence was based on the grounds that the accounts should be paid by the husband, C. R. Leonard. The nursing fees had been paid by C. R. Leonard without prejudice until the matter could be settled. A counter-claim for the possession of a few articles of furniture was made by the Trustees against C. R. Leonard. The evidence was lengthy and the hearing took all morning. At the conclusion the Magistrate said that he would give a considered judgment, and reserved his decision.

W. H. Johnston (Mr Davey) claimed £3 2/6 from S. Gordon (Mr Reed)- for taxi hire. The original dates of the'claim were admitted to be wrong, but the defence was prepared to accept the amended claim. After hearing evidence His Worship gave judgment for plaintiff for £2 10/- with costs, but allowed the defence £1 15/- witness’s expenses. W. H. Johnston secured judgment by default against E. Nutsford for £2 5/3, costs £1 5/6. THEFT. Alexander Butler pleaded guilty to five charges of theft, involving a total sum of £6 15/6. The thefts were committed as follows:—November 13, £1 5/-; December 16, £1 5/-; December 21, 5/3; January 5, £2 and January 7, £2. Detective-Sergeant Carroll prosecuted, and in outlining the case, said that the money had been stolen from William McCulloch, who was working at the Menzie’s Ferry factory along with accused. McCulloch, accused and accused’s brother lived in the same hut, and the first-named was continually missing some of his wages. W’hen McCulloch received his December pay he put £4 away in a different place. When he next looked at his money £2 was missing and he then took the numbers of the remaining notes. About January 7 accused handed a letter to the factory manager to post, asking that it be registered. McCulloch, by this time, had informed the police and, in company with Constable Jones, the speaker visited Menzie’s Ferry. The accused was interviewed and, as the manager had not posted the letter, accused gave the police permission to open it. Contained in the envelope was £4; two of which belonged to accused and two to his brother. Two of the notes were marked one. Accused made a statement, but since arriving at the Court had altered his attitude. A plea of guilty was entered by the accused, but he maintained that he did not take the money. Perhaps it would be necessary to call witnesses, if so, he would ask for an adjournment. Mr Reed: My client states that he is pleading guilty to save trouble. In reply to His Worship, accused pleaded guilty, and the plea was accepted. Mr Reed said that the accused had a clean record so far and asked that he be admitted to probation. “It is a mean theft to steal from a hut mate,” said His Worship in delivering judgment. He then admitted accused to probation for two years, the stolen money to be refunded within seven days.