MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1099, 11 April 1911, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Mr. W. G. RiiUlcll, S.M.)

"MESMERISED OR HYPNOTISED."

BUT TOOK THE BICYCLE. Donald Mathicson pleaded not guilty to a chargc of stealing a bicycle, valued at .£ll, the property of Frank Gorman and Co.

From the evidence it appeared that accused, after being refused drink in the Alhaniljra Hotel on Saturday afternoon, was seen to cross Cuba Street, and lake a bicycle from out.-ido Ihe l!oy;il Oak Hotel. Constable M'Alister, on being informed of the matter, arrested Mathicson in Manners Street a few minutes later.

For the defcnco Mathicson stated Hint he had only bono wed (ho bicycle for a few minutes (o demonstrate that lie was not drunk. He was at a loss to account for his action, but considered that lie had been either "mesmerised or hypnotised," as lie had never previously been eonvictcd of dishonesty. The magistrate inclined to the opinion that accused would no- have taken the bicycle but for 11m influence of liquor, and imposed a light fine of 205., with witnesses' expensss 125., the alternative being seven days' imprisonment.

THE OTHER MAN'S MACHINE. Norman Kamsay appeared on remand for sentence, on a cnargo of stealing a bicycle, valued at ,£lO IUS., the property of .lohn Flanagan. C'hief-Detcctive Broberg stated that accused was a seafaring man. Tho bicycle had been stolen from tho wharf, and left at an auction room to be sold. Fortunately it was recovered before being sold. Accused had not. previously been convicted for dishonesty. A fine of .£3 was imposed, the alternative being 21 days' imprisonment. STOLEN BLANKETS. Charles Thompson, who had pleaded guilty last week to a. charge of stealing three blankets and a piliow-slip, valued at ,il 3s. 3d., was brought forward for sentence.

It appeared that accused had been employed on the Ilaui'oto, but liad de?crtcd and taken the blankets, and tho pillowslip with him. .As he had already been seven clays in parti, the magistrate considered that the case could be met by the imposition of n fine of 40s. Default was fixed at seven days' imprisonment.

OPIUM-SMOKER FINED. A Chinaman, named Yee AVong, pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawfully smoking opium, and .to a further charge of being in possession of opium in a form suitable for smoking. Accused had been arrested at iiis huuse on Sunday. Oil the first ehiirgo he was fined .£5, with interpreter's i'ea 10s. Gd., and costs 75., and, on tho second charge, a tine of ~10, with costs 75., was imposed.

BREACHES. OF THE PEACE. James Shivnan and William O'Leary, appearing on remand, were charged wirli creating a breach of the peace in Cuba Street on Friday night. Both pleaded not guilty, Jlr. j.'. J. O'Regan appearing for dhivnan and -Mr. F. P. Kelly for O'Leary. The charge was th> outcome of a scufflo between tho two accused, this scuffle resulting in their arrest. Half a dozen witnesses were called.

Shivnan, in the coursc of Lis evidence, stated that ho had given OXoary in charge for assault, and O'Loary slated that lie had given Shivnan in charge for throwing stones on the, house of a lady,' who identified Shivnan by means of a gold tooth.

The magistrate dismissed thp charge against O'Leary, while Shivnan was fined 405., with witness's expenses 45., in default seven days' imprisonment. THREATENING BEHAVIOUR, For using threatening behaviour in Johnston Street on Saturday night, a young man, named William John Taylor, was fined 205., in.default' to undergo 4S hours' imprisonment.

MAINTENANCE. George Hazlcy D.ivies was sentenced to ono month's imprisonment for ifisobedicnco of a maintenance order under which tho arrears amounted to J;8 ss. The warrant is to be suspended so long as defendant pays Bs. per week off tho arrears.

Charles Enticott, whose non-compliance with a maintenance order caused the arrears to amount In ill 55., was sentenced to iv month's imprisonment.

Alfred Edwanl Capper, who did not appear, was ordered to pay 10s. a week towards the support of his wife, and ss. a week towards the, support, of his child, and was also ordered to pay Is. solicitor's fee. and .£1 Is. in connection with the taking of evidence at Cambridge. Mr. .Neilsan appeared for the complainant. Kita Dorothy Madge Faton was charged with disobedience of a maintenance order under which the arrears amounted to •£2fi 10s. .After hearing what defendant had to say. the magistrate remitted the arrears, and reduced the payments to 2s. Gd. a week. Jlr. E. J. Fitzgibbon appeared for the defendant.

OTHER CASES. Edward Jl'Gibbon pleaded guilty to a charge of using improper language in Taranaki Place and was fined £3 and witnesses' expenses Bs. Default was fixed at' H days' imprisonment. For riding a motor-cycle after dark without a light James Stelling was fined 10s., and costs 7s. Lavant M'Williams was fined 10s., and costs 75., for tethering a cow in Adelaide Road for the purpose of depasturing.