Tuesday, Juno 30.—Before W. Stuart

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 10653, 30 June 1896, Page 2

Tuesday, Juno 30.— Before W. Stuart

Esq., S.M.

Theft op Clock. — John Prien Donnelly, amiddloagcd man, wt>s charged that ho did, on or about June 16th, steal ono clock, valued at 7s 6d, the proporty of B. Weale. Mr Samuel for tho accused pleaded guilty, bnt desired to make a few remarks on the case. Couniel said that the accused, who was a settler at Murimota, bad been drinking heavily at Anckland, and on arrival here had got mixed up with some characters, and while in this state he had taken the clock from Mr Weale's, and sold it to another resident in town. He asked, in view of the accused's previous good character, and nnder the circumstances that the case be met by probation or a fine. Inspector McGovern said that he had sent to Wanganui for accused's antecedents, and found out that he had a previous good character. He thought the oaee might be met by a fine. — Hiß Worship said that tho case was not one for probation, as ho took it that the Act was meant for young men. — Mr Samuel : But he is a first offender, your Worship. — His Worship said that in his opinion tho Act only applied to young men. He considered tho case could be met with a fine, but not a nominal one. The accused would bo fined £s.— Accused wa? given 24 hours to pay the fine, ft Stowaways:— William Wyllio, W. JHamblyn, and Alfred Graham, three yonng men, wero charged with being stowaways from Onehunga to New Plymouth on Monday. They pleadad guilty. — Mr W. L. Newman, the agont of the Union S.S. Company, stated that he wished the law to tako its course. {Under the Shipping Act the Company could obtain the prico of the fare, which was £1 each, from tho accused if they were in a position to pay it. His Worship asked if the accused had any means. — Inspector McGovern roplied that between them they only had Is 2Jd. — His Worship fined accused £2 eaob, in default 7 days' imprisonment. — In answer to His Worship, the accused Baid they had no means of pajing tho fine, and would have to take it out. Tho Court rose.