Magistrate's Court.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 1, 26 September 1907, Page 11

Magistrate's Court.

GIVEN A CHANGS, Before Mr. Riddill, S.M.', an insurance canvasser, Robert Officer Porter, pleaded guilty, on five informations, of having converted to his own use £13 belonging to the Australian Temperance and General Mutual Life Association at Palmcrston North. Chief Detective McGrath stated that accused had been : employed by tho Society collecting premiums for four years, and was earning about £3 a week.

Mr. Blair, for accused, said that, as far as the Society was concerned, accused's weekly wage was about £3, but this amount would probably bo reduced by 10s. a week by commission given to other persons who brought him business. Ho had taken the money in a time of pressure, and intended paving it back, but this he had been unable to do. Porter had now made full restitution to the Society, and during four years in its omploy had collected over £20C0 for it. The Society was still satisfied with accused, and was prepared to take him back into its employment and give him an opportunity of regaining his lost position. Mr. lliddcll, S.M., thought accused should bo given a chance, and convicted and ordered him to come .up for sentence when called upon. SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. Frederick William Jones was charged on three informations with having, by.means of valueless cheques drawn uy himself on two banks, obtained a suit of elothes, two rolls of cloth, and £2 in Vjoney, belonging to William Hendry, and lady's wearing apparel, valued at i'G lis., from Johanna Dickson. Pleas of guilty wcro entered by accused to each charge. . Chief Dctcativc McGrath , said accused had only come, out of gaol on September 13, after having served twelve months' imprisonment xor forgery. Accuse;! wore the clothes, but ordered the second batch of. goods to bo sent to Wangdnni. The cloth was hot sei»t, and accused, when arrested by Detective Cassclls, was rnakinga present of.the fancy goodß v.o a barmaid; '

Accused pleaded for leniency on tho ground that lie bad just come out Oi gaol, and hart boon ordered by the doctor not to'drink. He had been looking for work, but could not get.it. Accusod was convicted on each of the chargcs, and sentenced to six months' imprisonment, the terms to run concurrently., REMANDED. A young man. named Robert Craig was charged with converting to his own use the sum of 10s. Bd. belonging to.Orlando William Oldham. Chief Detcctiro McGrath stated that accused was employed by the Excelsior Laundry, and received the monoy in question from a customer.

Ac-jused pleaded that the 'sum of £1 2s. 6d. was duo to him for wages from his employer, and lie hail retained tho sum of . 10s! Bd. to square matters with his .employer. Ho had written to his emnloycr twico telling him ho was doing this.

Chief Dotcctive -31cG rath remarked that tho' employer (Oldham) had informed him that lie owed accused 110 monoy, but bad given him notice.'

His Worship remanded accused until Friday pending the receipt of the Probation Officer's report, i

PROHIBITED PERSON IN TROUBLE.

Henry Thomas was charged -with drunkenness and with having been found on the premises of the CJrosvenor Hotel whilst a prohibition order was in force against him. Accused stated that he was at present a patient at the hospital; and admitted having • ~ v into tho hotel, using it as a retreat in which to rest after a tiring wail;. A fine of 405., in default seven days' imprisonment, was imposed on the sccond charge, and a fino of 10s., in default forty-eight hours' imprisonment, for the first olfcr.ce. CHARGE OF THEFT. Alfred Evans and William Wcntlas Biggins appeared on :• cWg<vof t-ly.fr-of produce, valued at £1, belonging to David M'Call, also on a charge of theft of three shirts, valued at ~i, belonging to a person named Hammond. Accused pleaded not guilty, and, on the application of ilr. Wilford, were remanded until .Monday. . Hail was allowed to each accused, himself in £5 and one. surety of £5.

In Janunry last, the Jlahcno, cn route from the Bl'.'J? to Ilohart, callcd at Milford Sound, and v.'l'.ilo there, a seaman named ' Wntbcrs died suddenly. and v.'as buried at sea. The Somen's Union took action in the matter, holding tliat v.z the Maheno was within two days' stoain from ITobnrt, there was r.o justification for burial at sea. The .matter was 1 referred to the London Board of Trade for an authoritative expression of opinion, anil a reply was received stating that the Statutes contained r.o provision regarding this particular aspsct of burials at sea, and so far as the Board was aware,. the point had never been raised, in a court of la'./. Yvith tho purpose of icstin;', the question, the V:r.:;;; v.roto to the .Marine Department. rc(ji;<stinj* that proeredim;r, be instituted gainst the master of tho. Malic:;.-) for buryiu;; aeorpse at sea when within two (lavs of port. The Department, in reply, (i: eliiied toprosecute. The I'mon has r.o'.v decided to approach ;hi> (lOverni'iU !'.t with a rc(;;:e'til:;! lc;i!<:!a! ie;i be hit reduced to p event Mich bural.s ill I'u'.uro.