MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1521, 17 August 1912, Page 14

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Mr. W. G. Eiddell, S.M.) INTERCEPTED LETTER.

COMFORTS FOE A PRISONER. At the Magistrate's Court yesterday M £ G - Kl^ eU > S.U.. hSrifSS Tin which George Hastings was charged with, having stolen 19 packets of cigarette tobacco (valued at 155.) from Leong Chone. °f A « g . Ustl2i md witb - havinf, on or about August 9, secreted tobacco on tho Mount Cook prison works for the use of I nomas Henderson, alias Fitzpatrick, a prisoner. Hastings pleaded not guilty. Ho was represented by Mr. A. M. Salek Leong Chong gave evidence to tho effect that on August 12 he was sitting in Ins kitchen when ho heard something fall in the shop. Ho looked into the shop, aiid saw a man leaving tho premises. Ho presently noticed that certain tobacco was missing, and, subsequently, ho had identified Hastings as tho man whom he had seen leaving his shop on the occasion referred to. Detective Cassells doposcd that on Au"ust 10 ho had hoard that Hastings hail been selling tobacco on the street on the night previous to that date. When questioned, Hastings had told him that he had "found tho tobacco in a parcel in Taranaki Street." Subsequently, however, Hastings had stated to him (tho detective) that ho had procured a parcel at a tobacconist's for tho purpose of secreting it at the prison brick-works, and that, before fulfilling this mission, ho had opened tho parcel, and had taken from it the tobacco which he had sold.

Arthur AValling, tobacconist, gave evidence as to Hastings's having called for a parcel; and Kale Fitzpa trick staled that she had paid for the goods in (ho parcel. Gaoler Pcanlon stated that a letter had been intercepted at the gaol from ITenibrion, requesting Hastings lo bring him supplies. A letter of this kind was referred to by prisonors as a "stiff." Hastings denied both, charges, • Ho [jrent oa .» feto iM drink was a ..great.

failing of his, and that he was troubled with tho effects of an accident which had occurred to him "in early years." Ho was sentenced to one month's imprisonment.

BENEFIT SOCIETY PINED. Tho Sacrod Heart Branch No. 502 New Zealand Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society, of Otautau, Otago, was fined .£1 for having failed to send the Registrar of Friendly Societies an annual return of income and expenditure for

OTHER CASES. For having permitted a horso to wander Walter Wliiting was fined 55., with costs Reginald Vaile was ordered to pay Court costs. 75., respecting a charge of'havhi" allowed his chimney to .cateh fire. George Schultz was fined 10s. for having assaulted Frederick Lamberg. Herman Reich was fined ,£3 for having broken a prohibition order. For insobriety, Mary Margaret Hambling was fined 55., and Thomas Elliott was ordered to pay £1 18s. 6d., costs of curative treatment.