MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16494, 3 August 1921, Page 7

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

CHRISTCHURCH. TO-DAY’S CASES, (Before Mr Wyvem Wilson, S.M.) Mary Craw, nee Blue, who was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence any time during three months on a charge of soliciting prostitution, appeared at her own request and wished to he sentenced instead of having to remain in the Salvation Army Home, as is the present arrangement. The accused’s husband said he wanted “to have his wife home again. She was as good there as anywhere. It was inconvenient for him to be without her. The Magistrate: “ We are not here to suit your convenience. We are hero to do good for the woman and tho public. It would be much better for her to remain in the Salvation Army Homo for the three months. The application for sentence will he dismissed.” ADMITTED TO PROBATION. John M’Cleary (Mr W. F. Tracy) pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing from Sockburn a horse rug valued at £3 15s, the property of a Mr Donald. Sub-Inspector Simpson appeared for the police. Accused said that he was starting a trotting stable, and one day, when he was coming back from the Addington track with a split sack over his horse’s back instead of a rug, he met a man in a gig, who started to talk to him about his horses and their “ chances ” at Ashburton. One thing led on to another. and the man in the gig asked him if he would like to buy some secondhand gear, and said he had a good rug. The price fixed was £l. Witness did not have £1 with him, so he offered a deposit of 7s 6d, and the balance would be paid if he did any good at Ashburton. Accused went on to say that Tie had taken the horse with the rug to Ashburton, and had been on the Addington track with it. No attempt was made to hide the rug, and it could easilv have been disguised. He never saw the man again, but he could easily recognise him. and he hoped to meet him, at the . Metropolitan Trotting Club meeting. The Magistrate said that the story seemed a “ little too thin.” He thought that the accused had Yielded to a sudden temptation. Taking into consideration the fact that accused was a married man with four children, he would be admitted to probation for twelve months. BREACH GF ARMS ACT. Robert James Welsh, for being the possessor of an unregistered firearm, was ordered to pay costs. DETAINED FOR REFORMATIVE TREATMENT. Clyde M’Evedy (Mr P. P. J. Amodeo) pleaded not guilty when charged with having, on four counts, failed to account to his employer, John William Blanchard, for sums collected, amounting to £l3 ss. Detective-Sergeant A. Cameron appeared for the police. Accused was further charged with absconding from the Wereroa Training Farm. Accused had been employed in Mr Blanchard’s butcher’s shop, and collected accounts from customers. Ho was empowered to give receipts, but he had failed to account for certain sums, and one account collected amounting to 11 7s 6d, the accused said he had lost. The other sums had been overlooked somehow. Air Amodeo said that accused had absconded from Wereroa because of the ill-treatment there. He was bullied by the other boys there, aiad whatever happened accused did not want to go hack. Air Wilson said that in his mind, the best thing to do would, be to send accused to Invercargill for reformative treatment. There was no doubt that the accused was guilty, and in his own interests ho needed checking. Ho wonld order that the accused be detained at the Invercargill Institute for two years. The charge of absconding would be dismissed. DRUNKENNESS. One male first offender was fined 10s, in default twenty-four hours’ imprisonment. COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. Charles Downing pleaded guilt}' to a charge of stealing on ot about July 25 a bicycle valued at £lO, the property of W. J. Wilson, and to a further charge of stealing from tho shop of Gertrude Laura Creswell, cakes and chocolate valued at 12s. Accused was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. MAINTENANCE CASE. Nellie Bidwell, Christchurch (Mr R. A. Cutlibert), was granted separation, maintenance and guardianship orders against Charles Stewart Bidwell, Auckland (Mr W. F. Tracey). Maintenance was fixed at the rate of £2 a weak. CHARGE DISMISSED. William O’Shea (Mr P. J. Amodeo) pleaded not guilty to a charge of being drunk and disorderly in Cashel Street on July 29. Constable J. May no said that ho noticed defendant coming out from a right-of-way in Cashel Street on the date mentioned, and as defendant was drunk he arrested him, after a struggle. In answer to questions by Mr Amodeo witness said that he was in private clothes at the time, and was in the company of a constable who was on duty. As defendant was drunk and disorderly he considered it his duty to arrest him. Defendant knew him and addiessed him by name. The Magistrate said that there was no evidence to show that defendant was drunk. His conduct in the watchhouse had been that of a sober mail. The information would be dismissed. (Before Messrs W. J, Jenkins. J.P., and John Reynolds, J.P.) FALSE DECLARATION. William Henry Davies was charged with having wilfully made a false declaration on January 13. 1919, tc the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages at Timaru, iri regard to the birth of a female child, by representing himself to be married to Clarice Lila Thomas when, in reality, he was a single man. Clarice Lika ’ Thomas was charged with qiding and abetting Davies in making the false declaration. Constable Lamb, of Culverden, said that he interviewed the two defendants' regarding the registration of tho birth of a child at Timaru. They both admitted being the parents of tho child, and Davies admitted that he supplied the particulars to the Registrar of Births. Apart from the fact that they were living as man and wife, they were decent, respectable people, and the child had tho appearance of being well-cared for. Evidence was given by the Registrar of Births at Timaru. Mr van Asch appeared for both defendants, who pleaded guilty to the charges. They were committed to the Supreme Court at Christchurch for sentence, bail being allowed in their own recognisance of £SO.