MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1079, 18 March 1911, Page 14

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M.) BANK TELLER ON HIS TRIAL. CONVERSION ALLEGED. John Aloysins Campbell, a bank teller, appeared at the Magistrate's Court yesterday oil the "following charges:— ° (1) That oil November 3, 1909, at Dimodin, he received from Geo. Simpson the sum of £137 2s. lOd.j on behalf of the Bank of Australasia, and converted the samo to his own use; (2) that on November 24, 1909, lie received from J. I'elerson and Co. the sum of £1)6 13s. 5d., on behalf of the Bank of Australasia, and converted the same to his own use; and (3) that on January 5, 1911, lie received from J. Peterson ?.nd Co. the sum of £76 ss. 4d., on behalf of the Bank of Australasia, and converted the same to his own use. Chief-Detective Brnberg asked that accused bo remanded to appear at Dunediu next week.

Mr. T. M. Wilford, who appeared for accused, stated that bis client had been arrested only the day before, and since then had been in communication with people in Australia, and counsel had early yesterday morning received a cable which he would show to his Worship, as he wished accused remanded to appear here. In such a brief time counsel had been unable to do anything at all to place tho necessary facts before bis Worship, but a certain course could be taken by which tho case could be dealt with here. Accused had absolutely a clean record up to date. Chief-Detective Brohcrg opposed the application as all tho charges referred to Dunedin, and all the witnesses were in Dnnedin. The magistrate considered that the prosecution could not be prejudiced by a remand to Wellington on Monday next, and granted this, but remarked that it would 'have nothing to do with future remands. Mr. Wilford asked if his Worship would admit accuscd to bail on a personal deposit of £400. The magistrate replied that he would require sureties, and fixed the bail at £400 and two sureties of £200 each.

"VERY EXPEDITIOUS." S. Drinkwater appeared 011 summons to answer a chargc that, on March 9, having received Vs. in terms requiring him to account for it to Hcnrich Heiliiann, 110 omitted to account for it, thereby committing theft. Chief-Detcctivo Droberg stated that the informant, Heimann, was a draper, who sold goods 011 the time-payment system, and Drinkwater had been employed to collcct moneys for him. While the information was being laid, it appeared that Drinkwater was at lleiniaiin's shop paying tho 7s. Informant now desired that the information should be withdrawn. In allowing tho information to be withdrawn, tho magistrate remarked that, although ho was not acquainted with all the facts, it certainly seemed that tho informant (Heimann) must have been very expeditious in laying a criminal charge for a sum of 7s". A PATIENT FOR PAKATOA. Mary Wilson, alias Tobin. against whom there were several previous convictions, pleaded ' guilty to a charge oF drunkenness, and to a further charge of procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order. On the first chargc she was declared a habitual drunkard, and sentenced to one year's detention in the Inebriates' Home at Pakatqa Island. For breach of the prohibition order, she was convicted and discharged.

OTHER CASES. 1 William Stevens and A r incent Furness were jointly charged with using threatening behaviour in a public street, thereby occasioning a breach of the peace. Both accuscd pleaded not guilty. After the evidence of one witness for the prosecution had been taken, a remand was granted until Monday next to enable Stevens to obtain tho services of a solicitor. Bail was allowed, each accused in the sum of £5 and one surety of £5. William Unsworth was charged with failing to provide maintenance for an unborn illegitimate child, of which it is alleged he is the father. On the application of Chicf-Detcctivc Broberg, accused was remanded to appear at Denniston 011 March 21. Denis Mahoncy was convicted and discharged for drunkenness, but was fined 405., with the option of seven days' gaol, for jirocuring liquor during thicurrency of a prohibition order. Daniel Mahoney, for drunkenness, was fined. 10s , in default 48 hours' imprisonment, and Mary Jane Sniyllic, similarly charged, was penalised, in like manner. One first-offending inebriate was convicted and discharged.