MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1202, 10 August 1911, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M.) FALSE TELEGRAM. HOW JCIO WAS OBTAINED. Kenneth Douglas Mellville Calders was charged at the Magistrate's Court with having sent falsely signed telegrams (signed "S. Burnett") to John Donald Wellford' M'Both, of, Wanganjii, intending that the telegrams should be acted upon as coming from Burnett. Mr. A. L. Herdman appeared for the accused Calders. George Harriss, clerk in the Wellington South Post Olfico, stated that, on July 21, he had received (from Calders) a collect telegram reading: "M'Beth, solicitor, vY'angariui, serious predicament, wire .£lO urgent, this post oflico quickest relief, written, S. Burnett." On that occasion Calders had stated that he wished to send tho telegram to tho firm, but did not wish his father to know. A reply came in tho form of an urgent money ordei\ for ,£lO. Gilders signed' a receipt, and also the money order, with tho namo of "S. A. Burnett." On tho following dav he appeared at the Wellington Soutii office, and remarked: "I have called for some more."

Sidney Augustus Burnett, law ..student, of Wellington Terrace, denied that either of the telegrams had been sent by his authority. The recipient of the telegram, Mr. M'Beth, was his brother-in-law, antl his father's partner.. He had known accused Calders for six or seven years. The latter had teen employed in Messrs. W. A. Izard's office in. Wanganui.

Detective Lewis stated that he was at the Wellington South Post Office on August 1, when Calders came there. Accused at first stated that his name was Burnett, but afterwards gave his right name. He admitted that he had sent the telegram, and added that he had intended to tell Burnett about it, and repay the money. It had since then been restored-.

Accused pleaded guilty, was committed to the Supreme' Conrt for sentence, and was admitted to bail.

RUKAL COOK AND FRIEXD3. Assault anl robbery were alleged against William Lyndhiiret. John Larmour was said to be the victim, and Hie amount of the robbery was given as about £20. In evidence, Lamnnr stated thai, until recently, he lia'd been employed as a cook by Mr. Williams, manager of Carter's Estate. Marlborough. He had intended leaving for England by (he Corinthie on August 10. When he arrived in Wellington he had about ,C2I. Ho bought about. .£.l worth of clothes. He met a young man, apparently of about '25 years, who stated that, he knew him (witness), and this young man remained in his company all day. Witness gave him "a shilling or two and a few drinks." Then they they arrived at the Princess Theatre Hotel, where two others endeavoured to make themselves acquainted with him, and asked biin. to "shout." Witness sat down in a chair, and one of the two .went oier and put his arm across his

throat. Witness put up a hand to stay the assault, and, thereupon, the other mini, who, he thought, was I.yndhurst, put his hand in his pocket and took Ihe money specified in the charge. As the result; of the pummelling which he got he did not remember anything immediately, being then dazed and stupid. Other evidence for the prosecution was given. Accused pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supremo Court for trial. TEASING THE- MONKEYS. Edward William Humphries was charged with having been intoxicated at Newtown Park on August, (I, but,-Mr. O'Shea (City Solicitor) stated that (he reason why the., accused was charged was that lie had (in company with others) been teasing the monkeys at the park and throwing tobacco'into the cages. There was no by-law bearing on such a matter, and that was why the defendant was charged as he had been. A tine of ">s., with costs 10s., was imposed, the default being fixed at 18 hours' imprisonment. TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY. Annie Murdoch was charged with drunkenness, and with being an idle and disorderly person having insufficient lawful means of support. Tlie defendant staled that she was not without means of support, having had •£J ; 10 left her. She was fined 20s. for having been drunk, and a prohibition order was issued against her. On the other charge she was convicted and ordered to np pear for sentence when called on. Sho was told that if she did not get away for Melbourne (as promised by her in a. previous cafe) by Thursday's (to-day's) steamer she would be brought before the Court to lw sentenced.' OTHER CASES. For breach of a prohibition order, Diehard Evans was fined £2. In the Juvenile Court William Shannon, who appeared on remand respecting a charge of stealing 10s. worth of shrubs belonging to the City Council, was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. Ho was also required to pay Ifiio amount of the value of the shrubs. A lad similarly charged was convicted and discharged.