MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16508, 19 August 1921, Page 8

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

CHRISTCHURCH. TO-DAY’S CASES (Before Mr Wyvern "Wilson, S.M.) DRUNKENNESS. A first offender was tined os, in dofault twenty-four. hours’ imprisonment. George Gardiner, a second offender, ras lined 20s, in default three days’ imprisonment. A third offender. Robert Clcghorn, pleaded for another chance when the Magistrate said he thought accused ought to br sent to an inebriates’ home. The Magistrate told accused he would give him another chance, but if lie was convicted oh drunkenness again within six months he would be sent to the island. Accused was con voted and dischaiged. (Proceeding.) AFFILIATION CASE. Reserved judgment was delivered by the Magistrate in the affiliation case in which John Maofarlane, seventy-five years of age, was the defendant. After reviewing the evidence, the Magistrate I said lie would adjudge Macfarlane to be the father- of complainant’s male child, j and order him to pay the hosts of the ; proceedings, amounting to £0 da. If l necessary, a further application could be made for a maintenance order. On behalf of Mr F. O. Sargent, who appeared for the defendant at t’*e hearing of the case. Mr Cracroft Wilson asked ■ .he Magistrate to fix security fot appeal The Magistrate fixed security t at £2O. BREACH OF THE PEACE. Two young men, Francis Patrick Dwyer and John Cecil Donaldson, who came to blows in Battersea Street, Sydenham, or* July 26 last, were charged with having committed a breach of the pence. The accused pleaded guilty. Dwyer who, the Magistrate said, had been the aggressor, was fined 40s and costs, and Donaldson 20s and costa. (Before Mr W. IT. Norton, J.P., and Mr F. 11. Christian, J.P.) ALLEGED BURGLARY. John Robert Smith (Mr W. F. Tracey) was charged that on or about July 13, 1921, he broke and entered a warehouse at the Christchurch railway station, and stole a kitbag, containing carpenter’s tools, also an overcoat, six suits of overalls, and one coat, of a total value of £l3 11s, the property of the New Zealand Government. William Frank Cox, a railway employee, said that after the place was broken open he searched about the yard. He went into a railway carriage and found some nails on the floor. These najis were similar to some that • had been in the stolen kit. There was ; also a small brooch, with Barbara on it, lying on the floor of the carriage. On ’ the following Saturday morning, h© saw ■ accused in the railway yard. Accused l said he was night watchman for ! M’Ciatchie and Co. .Helen Beasley, wife of S. C. Beasley, second-hand dealer of Tuam Street, said accused had attempted to sell some carpenter’s tools to her. Detective H. J. Le Sueur gave evidence of the arrest of the accused. Accused had claimed the brooch found in the railway carriage as his property. He denied taking the tools, but admitted that the overcoat he was wearing came from the warehouse which was broken into. He said that another man had taken the tools, and had given him those which were not branded. Accused said he sold these tools to a man in the street for 20s. -Accused said he did not know the name of the other man, who had gone away'to sea.• Accused pleaded not guilty, and ‘was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Smith was also charged that on or j about July 8, 1921, at Christchurch, he stole one stock and dies, valued at £3, the proper tv of the .New Zealand Railways. Accused pleaded guilty, and elected to bo dealt with summarily. He was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment. COM MI TED FOR TRIAL. Alfred Seeker, a labourer residing at Sydenham, was charged with having committed an indecent act on August 10. at Lin wood. Accused pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed in £IOO and two sureties of £IOO each.