MAGISTERIAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXI, Issue 12481, 19 September 1904, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

TIMARU—SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th, 19P4. (Before Mr C. A. Wray, S.M.) VAGRANCY AND THEFT. George Gibb pleaded guilty to having insufficient lawful visible means of support, and to two charges of theft. The charges were taken together. In one instance, the theft was of three fowls, value 6s, the property of P. O'Meeghan; in the other, of a shoulder of pork, a side of mutton, and a quantity of steak and sausages, worth about 275, the property of Mrs Wakefield.

•Sergeant Warring stated that for some considerable time complaints have been made about the robbery of meat-safes, an offence difficult to sheet home. For about two months accused, who was married, bad been doing no work, but had been bringing meat to the place where he and his wife were lodging, and no butcher had called. The landlady eventually turned him out. Mrs Wakefield, boardinghouse-keeper, gave evidence as to the loss of her meat, which was missed on the 24th August. Mrs Cullamore said that accused and his wife lodged with her for three weeks. No butcher called fo them, but .they always had iplenty of meat—pork, mutton, beef, and fowls. She charged them Ss a week for rent, but they r.«ver .paid. She got frightened at last'that he was stealing meat, and made him leave.

J. Martin, accused's brother-in-law, said he was a good-for-nothing, who was always going to work, but never did anything. He had only been married about 10 weeks. Witness's sister had insisted upon marrying accused, against the wishes of the family. He had spent all her money, and witness had to help to keep them. Detective Fitzgerald gave evidence as to the character of accused. He had told

his wife he-worked for Mr Clayton, but as he brought no money home she made enquiries, and found he "had never worked there. _

Accused had nothing to say. Ho was 22' years old. ne had been premised work, to which he was to go on Monday. Mr Wray said it seemed a vf ry bad case, in which nothing could be done. He was averse to sending young people to gaol, but there was nothing else for it. Only a light sentence would be imposed this time, but a very much more severe penalty would be imposed for the next offence. Accused was sentenced to one month's imprisonment with" hard labour, on each charge, the sentences to iun concurrently.