LYTTELTON.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14830, 22 November 1913, Page 5

LYTTELTON.

(Before Captain A. Hatch well and Mr F..W. Anderson, J.P.'e) A FALSE ALARM. • On a charge of having given a fake alarm to the Lyttelton Fire Brigade by ringing the firebell, Frank Young pleaded not guilty. Constable Edwards said that his attention had been drawn to the incident on Thursday by the bell tolling three times. On going to the place where the bell was hung, he found accused half-way up the ladder. When spoken to, accused offered no excuse for his action, and, bein~ drunk, was locked up for the night. Senior-Sergeant Ryan stated that the man had a'bad record. Ho was a worth.-.

less individual, and practically never worked. ' J list prior to the boll being rung, he had been down tho street, carrying an axe handle, which he flourished at several hotelkeepers, who refused to serve him with drink. He had also been using some very bad language Accused stated that he had no recollection of the incident. The Bench remarked that it was a serious matter that a Tolnnteer firo brigade should be brought out on a faltee alarm, and imposed a fine of £5, with the alternative of a month's imprisonment. On a further charge of being drunk, the same accused was convicted and discharged. CHARGE OF FALSE PRETENCES. Richard Ashley, alias Robert Ashley, alias Robert Waters, was charged with having, on September 23rd, at Dannevirke, obtained the sum of £2 by means of falsct pretences, stating that he had £300 security at Christchurch. On the application of Senior-Sergeant Ryan, the case was adjourned till to-day, to enable the police to pursue enquiries. KEPT HIS MATES' TOBACCO MONEY. Samuel Coates, was charged with having on November 3rd, received the sum of £4 os 6d, on towns requiring him to account for the same to Edward Perkins, and with having fraudulently converted the money to his own use. He pleaded guilty" and elected to bo dealt with summarily. Senior-Sergeant Ryan stated that accused had been a member of the crew of the collier Kaitangata, which was at present lying in the stream on account of the strike. On the day in question, tho crew wero pahi off,'and accused was sent ashore, to collect money from the crew in payment for tobacco which had been supplied to them by the chief steward. Mr Perkins. When ho obtained the money from tho men he cleared out from the port, and was arrested nt Culvprrlen, having then in his possession a cheque for £1 9s 6d. Nothing was previously known against the man's character, and he had a friend who was willing to refund the amount. He was convicted, and fined 20s, and ordered to make good the amount stolen in default fourteen days' imprisonment.