TIMARU COURT RETURNS

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13812, 25 January 1909, Page 7

TIMARU COURT RETURNS

DECREASE OF CRIME. The returns of the business done at the Magistrate's Court for the year ended December 31st, 1908, have been compiled, and it is gratifying to note that they disclose a decrease in several directions, and that, generally, they indicate an improved state of alf airs in this district. lb »s true that drunkenness Jor the past year shows a slight increase as compared with 1907, but the increase only amounts to eleven cases, and against this there is f,ho fact that crime of a serious,,character has been conspicuous by its absence. The returns shovy that under the headings causing bodily harm, indecent assault, concealment of birth, illegal operations, attempted murder, rape, manslaughter,' opium smoking, rogues' and vagabonds, 1 there wore no cases. There were 57' prohibition orders issued last year, as against oo the previous year. In the matter of .common theft, only \o persons wcrv charged last yi-.ir, as compared with 38 in 1007. Two men and four women were examined last year with a view to determining their state of mind, while in 1007 10 men and four women were so dealt with.

On the civil side, if, is interesting to note that just on £2OOO more was sued for in 1908 than in 11)07, and £450 wore was recovered last year. The amount recovered in the two years was less than half of that sued ifor. Criminal, 1908. 1907. M. F. M. I<\ Drunkenness lb'O 3 Hf 5 Offences by or against prohibited persons 2S 3 35 5 Prohibition orders ... 55 2 49 3 Common theft 14 1 35 3 Theft (indictable) ... 1 0 3 0 Breaking & entering 2 U .4 0 Common assault ~i 11' 0 ll 0 Lunacy -.-> « 4 10 4 There was one ease of attempted suicide, the person charged being convicted and 'discharged. There were two charges of wounding horses, and the offenders were committed for trial. Of false pretences, there were four cases, the accused persons being committed for trial. One person was pronounced an habitual drunkard, and he was sent to tile Pnkatoa Home. There were six offences against tile Licensing Act other than those above specified, breaches of the peace numbered 10, cases of indecency 3, obscene language 9, desertion and maintenance 7, tour affixation orders were, asked for, and two were granted; disobedience of orders under the Shipping and Seamen's Act 11, indigent children none, idle and disorderly persons, six men and two women; breaches of by-laws liU, truancies S, cruelty to animals C, playing games ol chance 9. Civil. 1908. 190/. £ s. d. £ s. d. Amount sued „„_„ _, „ for 7594 2 0 56v(5 v i Amount re- , ~_ • covered ... 3393;_2 8 Plaints entered 7/3 ' H