LOWER COURT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1810, 24 July 1913, Page 4

LOWER COURT.

ESCAPADES OF MARTHA TAINUI. HER PLAUSIBLE WAY. MAGISTRATE .SENDS HEK- TO GAOL. Interest in the doings of one Martha Tainui (or M'Donald) was revived at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, and at one stage of the proceedings the following remark was niado by Chief Detectivo Broberg"The tale she lias told has been told often before; she has been before the Court since ISSS." Mr. W. G. Kiddell, S.M., was on the bench, and the charge was a double-barrelled one: (l) That she obtained 10s. by false pretences from Catherine) Kiernhhder on July 12; (2) that she obtained dfil by fplse pretences from Hcsa Hancock.on July 18.

Rosa Hancock stated in evidence that accused came to her house a few days ngo, and giving lier name as "Miss M'DoiLald," said that she had been recommended by the Pjiblic Trust Office to go there for board. She also stated that she had'bought the house opposite, and wished to have board until her new residenco was papered and' furnished. As tho house in question was .being papered witness believed the story and took accused in as' a boarder. On the following day accused asked for the loan oi'£l, giving as her reason that she wished to get her boxes down from GisLorne. In reply to a question by Detectivo Bro. berg, witness said that accused told him that sho owned a motor-car and six racehorses, and that her brother was Mr. M'Donald, of the Public Trust Office. Witness lent, her the sum asked for. Accused also intimated that sho had a cheque for £o, and would repay witness as soon as sho had cashed it. Accused cross-examined witness: "But Mrs. Hancock you don't keep a respectable house." \\ itness: But you. can't prove that. His Worship told witness not to answer the question. 'Accused: AVhere's your witnesses to prove that you gave me this money ? Witness: 1 told tho men. Accused contradicted this, and alleged that Mrs. Hancock had said there was no hurry- for tho money. J. W. M'Donald, solicitor to the Public Trust Office, stated that ho liad no Maori blood in his veins, and was no relation to 'tho nccused. He knew her by reputation from, the time when he used to make out warrants for her arrest.

Cathorino Kiernander. ■ • shopkeeper, Molesworth Street, stated 1 that on July 12 accused told her she was n relative to a certain lady residing in Hobson Street, and that she had just taken a house in Tinakori Road. Before leaving sho said she had unfortunately left her purse at home, and would be "obliged" by a loan of Jil. - Witness lent her 10s. Accused to witness: You were lying drunk on the couch when I cam© to your house. Your house is nothing but a sly grog-shop. In evidence, accused stated that her name was- Martha M'Donald, but that she was known as Martha Tainui. Chief Detectivo Broberg remarked that accused had been convicted thirty times on similnr offences. His Worship sentenced her to three mfinths' imprisonment on each of tho two charges. The sentences to run concurrently.

A DOG SLAYER. THE NOVICE ' AND lIIS 'PISTOL. Duncan Cruickshank was charged with intending grievous Lodily harm to one David Fisher, by discharging a firearm at him—to wit an automatic pistol., David Fisher,farrier, stated that about 2.30 on July 8 lid was working in stables in Frederick Street, when he' heard the sound of a shot; and went out to seo what had happened. Accused was standing in the street with «i pistol in his'hand. 110 pointed it at .witness and fired. He did not know accused.. He Saw no dog iti the street. Tito dust where the bullet struck the ground spurted up at his feet. Mr. O'Leary, who appeared for accused, oased his defence on the fact that nccused was firing at a dangerous dog. George D. Milne, a letter-carrier, stated •that he saw the first shot fired at the dog. Tho pistol was pointed low, and would have hit the dog "had it been there." He also thought that it was quite possible that accused did not see Fisher. His .Worship said lie did not think a jury would convict on the evidence, and discharge!) dofendaut. Cruickshank was then charged with discharging a firearm' ii( a-public place. Ho pleaded guilty, and was ordered to pay witnesses' expenses.

„ OTHER CASES. George Everson pleaded guilty to the following charges of theft:—(a) A bicyclo valued at JC3, property Francis Fear; (2) boots valued at l'Os., the' properly Fanny Whitaker;' (3) boots, valued at 225. Gd., the property of Bates and Lees. Accused was sentenced to three months' imprisonment on the first charge, and to. one month on each of the others, tenuis to be concurrent. . Peter John Onslow was committed to the Supremo Court far trial upon a cliarge of theft from the Pier Hotel. Robert Herbert Scott pleaded guilty to a charge of theft of a. suit of clothes, the property of Frederick Jones. He was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. For failing to pay tlio award rate of wages, L.: Launder, tailor, was fined ,£2. For tho theft of a bicycle valued at .EG, tho property of Herbert George Smith, Cuthbert Oswell Younghusband was fined £3, and ordered to pay other expenses amounting to £1 18s. Edward Patrick Mndigan ivas further remanded to July 30 on a charge of indecent assault. For insobriety: Mary Harding, fined 10s.; Esther Collier, 405., or seven days; George Lucas, 205., or three days; and Elizabeth Buckmaster wns remanded.