MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1178, 13 July 1911, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Mr. W. G. Eiddoll, S.M.) A FOURTH OF JULY FESTIVAL, A young man named Robert Parratt was charged with having, on July 4 last, at Wellington, assaulted Leonard Jamas Hogan and robbed him of his watch and chain, valued at ,£5. Evidence was given to the effect that the complainant, in company with the accused and his mate, had been making tho rounds of certain hotels on tho evening of July i, as, to them', seemed befitting the occasion of tho anniversary of tho American Independence Day—all three had come over in cue of the 'Frisco boats. Their festivities—all at-complain-ant's expense—were brought to a violent conclusion in the Albion Hotel, a! the foot ot Tory Streot, where the robbery v.'n.: alleged to have boon committed. Altar auother round of drinks, Hogan donated 225. towards the cost of liquid, which was to be consumed during subsequent festivities at Island Bay, and then went out to tho back of the hotel, accompanied by Parratt's mate. While (here the accused's mate, it was alleged, snatched at his (Hogan's) watch, and wrerichod it free with a jerk. A s:cuffle ensue-.!, when Parratt appeared, and, according to the evidence, kickcd tho complainant in tho face, thus creating a diversion which enabled tho two to decamp. The other man got cleat away. Parratt pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Snpreme Court for trial.

CIIARGES OF THEFT. John Shannon and Harold Enoch Spencer appeared in-answer to a charge of having on June ?3, at Wellington, stolon two saws, one level, and one tape measure, of a total value of .El 55., the property of ■ Jos. A. I osett. On the ground that tho evidence against Shannon was insufficient, the information was withdrawn, on the-application of Chief-Detec-tive Broborg. Spencer pleaded guilty, and was convicted and sentenced to three months' imprisonment. Three other charges were also preferred against Spencer: (1) That on J.uly 3 ho broke and entered tho dwelling of Jas. Hamilton, and stole therefrom a Gladstone bag and contents, valued at ,£2, the property of Uailiday Grown; (2) that ou July 3 ho stole a copper boiler, valued at 10s., the property of Jas. Hamilton; (3) that on July 3 he stole a copper boiler, valued at 10s., the property of Dwan Bros. Accused pleaded guilty (o all three charges, and was summarily dealt with on the last two, being convicted and sentenced to one mouth's imprisonment for each offence, the sentences to be concurrent. On the charge of breaking and entering, Spencer was convicted and remanded to the Supremo Court for sentence. OTIIEII CASES. Ellen Briggs, represented by Mr. Beere, was charged with having wilfully exposed a child under U years, of which she had the custody, in such a manner as was likely to have caused injury to tho child's health. Ou the application of ChiefDetective Broberg a remand was granted till July 11, bail being allowed in the sum of S2O, with ot.e surety of .£2O. Chns. Dane, charged with having committed an'unnatural offence, pleaded not guilty, and was committed tn tbp Supreme. Court for trial, reserving his defence,