MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12502, 31 March 1909, Page 2

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

NELSON— TUESDAY, MARCH 30. "Before Mr H. Eyre-Kenny, S.M. ALLEGED THEFT OP A TRUNK. Hannah Jane Dane, a young woman seventeen years of age, was charged with stealing a tin trunk containing wearing apparel, valued at £15, the property of Bertha Barker. Accused, who was represented by Mr Atkinson, elected to be dealt with summarily, and pleaded guilty. Mr Atkinson asked that the provisions of the Probation Act be extended to accused. She had made no,attempt to conceal the dresses stolen, nor had she endeavoured to sell the articles. He contended that there was no'criminal intent on the part of accused and that" it was nothing more -than a. "childish love of finery" that induced accused to take the trunk. Accused was just starting life and there was no previous record against her. She was also about to be married to a very respectable young man and if she >was imprisoned her life would be blighted and probably the marriage would not take place. Sergeant Dougan said that the contents of the trunk had been found in accused's possession and he suggested that she should be sent to a home. The accused did not appear to realise 1 the position she was in and treated the case as a joke. Accused knew that .she could wear the clothes with impunity as Miss Barker was away. He thought Miss Barker should be recompensed. The Magistrate said it would be an unusual course to send a' convicted criminal to a home and he .was not prepared to ' say that it was the best course to pursuo in this case. He was more inclined to refer the matter to the Probation Officer. If the report was favorable and the girl's prospective husband was prepared to assist to make the amount good,_ he might admit the accused to probation. Accused was remanded until Friday for the Probation Officer's report.