MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16938, 12 January 1923, Page 8

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

TO-DAY’S CASES. CHRISTCHURCH. (Before Mr AAyvern Wilson, S.M.) DRUNKEN NESS. A first offender was fined os, in default twenty-four hours’ imprisonment. A SERIOUS- CHARGE. Lancelot Wallace, aged 18 years, was charged that on January 4, he indecently assaulted a male. Mr R. Twvneham. who appeared for the accused asked for a remand, and said that the parents would guarantee that the boy was not out of their sight during the period of the remand. Senior-Detective Gibson said he would be quite satisfied with the supervision that the accused’s parents Avould exercise. A remand Avas granted till next Friday. Boil of £2OO and one surety of £2OO was granted. BY-LAAV CASES. For cycling without lights Peter Burns, Duncan .John AI ’Donald, and Harold Clarence Whitfield were each fined 10s and costs. For speeding m a motor-car Francis Clark was fined 20s and costs. For driving a motor vehicle without a certificate of ability James R.aleigh Denham Avas fined 10s and costs. On ±i further charge of speeding he was fined 20s and costs. For driving a motor car between a standing tram, and the footpath AA'illiam M’Farlane was fined 40s and costs. For leaving a motor oar unattended George Norman M’Lean was fined 5s end eosti?. Eldred Cecil Street for riding a motor-cycle Avithout lights Avas fined 20s and costs. For speeding Ernest Samuel Smart was fined 40s and costs. Frederick Wickham for riding a motor-cycle without lights Avas fined 10s and costs. For .speeding Graham Bennett was fined 20s and costs. DISMISSED. Isaac James Colbeck (Mr F. D. Sargent) was charged that on June 3 he stole tAvo trap lamps valued at £3, the property of John O’Connell. Senior Detective T. Gibson said that the lamps had been stolen from a carrier’s cart, and the accused had tried te self them in Christchurch. He had approached a cabman and asked him if he would buy them. The accused said that he and his wife kept a dining room in Lyttelton, and it was there that he had become acquainted with a man named Burnett, who was in a very poor position, and in return for free meals, he gave two hours’ service each day in the kitchen. It was proposed that he and Burnett should go for a fishing trip and he asked Burnett what contribution he would make in the way of petrol and provisions. Burnett replied that he had no money, but he had two lamps which he thought would realise a little, and as Kc had experience in carrying he considered that he could drive a good bargain. E\ r idence of the good character borne by the accused was given by Colonel C. J. Cooper. The Magistrate said there was no doubt that the lamps had been stolen, but there was a doubt as to who had committed the theft, and the charge against the accused Avould have to be dismissed.