MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1792, 3 July 1913, Page 5

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

LOST OVERCOATS. CHARGE'S.AGAINST P. ,A. FABIAN, About half a dozen pawnbrokers and second-hand dealers, of various nationalities, were present in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, for the purpose of giving evidence for the pro-ecuiion in a'ca'so of theft. A table near the witness-box was piled with overcoats of various kinds, these also being "evidence" in the same case. The accused was Percy. Alfred Fabian, and he was called-to answer seven separate charges of stealing this lino of wearing apparel. As something in the nature of a side-line, he was also charged with stealing a hat. Mr. W. G. Riddcll, S.M., was on the bench, 'and Chief Detective Broberg prosecuted. When charged with the offences, accused said: "I had arrangements made with a friend of mine for a Mr. Wilson to appear for me to-day, and I find that this morning lie has had to go to the Hutt. I don't feel disposed to go on with the case now, and I would aslc your Worship for a remand. I am not feeling very well; 1 feel too ill to go on with the case." The Chief Detective reminded his Worship that accused had applied for a remand last week, and this had been granted. The police were ready to go on with the oase, and objected to any further remand. . His Worship (to accused): You can't get these remands in. this fashion. Accused: Well, your Worship, I don't feel disposed to go on with the case today. I don't feel well enough. , His Worship: Well, you can sit down. The case was proceeded with. Evidence ■was given to the effect that accused lad taken the overcoats from various city hotels, and then sold them to second-hand dealers. Owners of the coats gave evidence, and each recognised his coat amongst those displayed on the table. Fabian pkaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed in the sum of ,£6O. For a breach of his prohibition order, Fabian was fined ,405., and court costs 7s. FORGERY. OFFENCE FIVE YEARS OLD. Five years is a long time, but apparently not iong enough for the law to allow an unpunished offender to continue to be at large. For five years the officers of tho law have been hunting for one Oscar Blair, alias B. Easther, alias Chas. Allan, who committed certain acts of forgery lu the month of February, 1008. It seems that the efforts have -been successful, for yesterday the much-wanted person appeared in.the dock to answer thrco charges of forgery. The charges were: (1) That on February 1, 1003, he did forge the name of Charles Cathie (Mayor of Karori) to a cheque drawn on the union Bank of Australia, at Wellington, for the sum of .£8 45., and utter same to Geo. Edwin Potter; (2) that on February'ls,'l9oß, at Masterton, be obtained from D. Finlaysou and Son a pair of toots aud 16s. 6d. in cash, of a total value of £1 19s. 6d., by means of a certain false pretence,, with intent to defraud; (3) that on February 17, 1908, at ho did forge a cheque purporting to be" signed by James Whitaker, drawn on the Bank of New South Wales', for the sum of .£8 14s. ' 'Evidence was of a formal nature. Accused pleaded guilty and was committed to- the Supreme Court for sentence. JOCKEY'S JEWELLERY. Finality was reached yesterday in tho cases in which James Henry Sergeant.was charged with having (at Lovin on April 13) stolen from the dwelling of Charles Jenkins a gold watch, a gold chain, a gold sovereign case, ami a pendant, valued at X7j, and James Whitaker was chargcd with having received from Sergeant a JI3O watoh belonging to Jenkins, knowing that tiie article had been dishonestly obtained. Both accused, who were represented by, Mr. Goldie, pleaded not guilty, and were com- • mitted to the Supreme Court for trial. EX-CIVIL SERVANT. AND'LAMBTON BOOKING STALL. Frank O'Brien Gillespie, an ex-railway servant, was remanded to Juno 9, on a chargo of attempting to break and enter the booking office of the Lambion Stution, with intent to cpmm.it a crime. Bail was allowed in the sum of ,£SO. For committing theft of two coats, Gillespie was fined 10s., with the option of going to gaol for seven days. On two other minor charges of theft, lie wns convicted and ordered to come up for .'enteace when called upon. FOUGHT THE CONSTABLE. "Ho resisted tha arresting constable for about half iw hour; was thea J la red in a,

hansom cab, where he kicked the constable severely about the legs," said Inspector lieiulrey when dealing with chargos of using threatening behaviour and with resisting the arresting constable, which were preferred against Ernest Albert Stevens. Oil the count of using threatening behaviour accused was fined 405., and oil the other offence was sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment. ■ OTHER POLICE CASES. Mary Louisa Scott pleaded guilty to a charge of theft of a parcel of clothing, valued at o<K, tlu- property of Alexander M'Millan. She was fined "lUs., in default so""ii days' imprisonment. For insobriety, Wm. Ellison was fined 20s. CIVIL CASE. THEATRICAL MEN GO TO LAW. (Before Dr. M'Arthur, S.M.) A. case was continued yesterday in which Fred. M'Crea, concert agent, claimed <£62 10s. 9d„ from C. H. Bailey, theatrical managei, as a balance alleged to be due for paper and printed goods supplied, and printing done, and .£29 175., which represented 10 per cent, of the gross proceeds of the Butterfly Concert Company's Wellington performances from June 23 to 28, both days inclusive. Mr. A. Dunn appeared for the plaintiff, and defendant's counsel was Mr. A. Blair. His Worship, after hearing part of the evidence, adjourned proceedings until Friday next.