THE COURTS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19177, 7 December 1927, Page 3

THE COURTS.

MAGISTERIAL

TUESDAY. (Before Mr E. D. Mosley, S.H.) DRUNKENNESS.

Charles Edward Hill, aged 89 years, appeared on remand on a charge of drunkenness, and was ordered to pay 17s 6d medical Expenses. CHARGE DISMISSED. Thomas Duncan Campbell, aged 42 years, wan charged with drunkenness in Tuam street, and with stealing a bicycle, valued at £9 9s, the property of Louis Petersen. Mr W. P. Tracy appeared for accused, who pleaded guilty to the first charge, and not guilty to the second. Senior-Sergeant Fitzpatrick stated that ao cused, apparently in a drunken condition, went to the Fullers' Opera Houso and removed one of tho workmen« bicycles. Une of the workers saw him take the cycle and gave chase. Campbell was caught and the owner identified the bicycle. Mr Tracy stated that accused had applied to the Opera House for work earlier in the day. He had then had a bicycle with him, and had left it by the building. It was punctured and he had borrowed another, which he thought belonged to a friend working in the building. ' On the charge of drunkenness, ho was convicted and fined 10s, in default twentyfour hourß* imprisonment. "It appears that there is a slender chance of his having made - a mistake," said the Magistrate in dismissing the information on the theft charge. GAOL FOR THEFT.

Leo Reginald Dennis, aged 24 years, was charged that he stole a diamond and s&pyhire ring, valued at £7, the property of H. M. Poynter, and that on divers dates between September 9th and September 30th, hs stole sums of money totalling £7 4s 9d, the property of Robert Smith. Mr P. P. J. Amodeo appeared for Dennis, who pleaded guilty to both charges. Chief-Detective Lewis stated that Dennis had been employed by a coal merchant, and had failed to account for several sums of money. He had taken the ring from the house in which he was staying, pawned it for 10s, and put tho money on a horse. _ He was convicted and sentenced to six months' imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to" be cumulative. REMAND GRANTED. Victor Tolchard, aged 35 years (Mr W. J. Staeey) was charged that t.n divers dates between April 2nd and July 27th, having received £l6 lis on . terms requiring him to account for same to C. E. Hollis and Co., did fraudulently omit to do so, thereby committing theft. There was a similar charge in respect to tho sum of £35 9s Gd, between the dates of July 27th and November 19th. Chief-Detective Lewis stated that accused had been in the employ of the firm for several years, and had taken money about last April. When approached on the matter by the manager, he had admitted taking the money. He had promised to repay it, and was given another chance. Later, further sums were takeiv Mr Stacey asked that the ease be adjourned pending a report by the Probation Officer. Tolchard was remanded until December £Hh. Bail was allowed. THEFT OF BAG. A plea of "not guilty" was entered by Joseph Hogan Byrne, when charged with stealing a brief bag and a thermos flaeh, valued at £1 2a Gd, the property of G. S. Morris. Senior-Sergeant Fitzpatrick elated that accused had visited the Sydenham Police Station, and finding no one there, had removed the brief bag, containing a thermos flask. The bag was later found in his possession, but the flask wa» missing. Aocueed had a list of previous convictions against him. Byrne was convicted and sentenced to three months' imprisonment. CLAIM FOR FEES. James Henry Merrie, financial agent, Christchurch (Mr A. C. Cottrell) claimed the snm of £l4 18s as costs in connexion with raising a loan, which was not accepted, for defendant. After hearing the evidence, his Worship gave judgment for the plaintiff for the full amount with costs. FOR TYRES SUPPLIED. Christchurch Motors, Ltd. (Mr J. D. Hutchison) claimed from Albert ■ Counsel

(Mr J. A. Kennedy) the sum of £2l for tyres supplied to defendant. The Magistrate gave judgment for the plaintiff for the amount claimed with costs. (Before Mr H. A. Young, S.M.) CIVIL CASES.

Ia each of the following cases, judgment wag given for plaintiff by default:—Edmund Bridgman v. C. Luney, sen., £24; Florence McKay v. William Spiers, £5 8s 3d; C. A. Owens v. W. A Shirley, 16e 8d; Maling and Co., Ltd., v. A. Mitchell, £2 13a 3d; N.Z. Farmers' Co-op. Assn., Ltd. v. W. L. Fowler. £3 3« lOd; N.Z. Acetylene and Hardware Co., Ltd. v. T. Forrest, £6 13s Id; T. W. Barrow v. C S. Luney, costs only; International Harvester Co., Ltd. v. H. Goas, £4 14s 9d; Henderson and Crewes v. Walter Rodgers and Martha Jane Beardsley, £67 10a lid. CONCERNING A HEIFER.

J. W. Lewis (Mr C. S. Thomas), night watchman, Belfast, claimed from D. Lange (Mr E. J. Ross) motor-driver, Belfast, one heifer cow valued at £l2, and a further £2 for alleged detention of the animal. Altogether twenty-fiva witnesses wcro called, and the Magistrate found it necessary to visit the farms and inspect the animal. On his return, he gave judgment for the defendant with costs.