MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2215, 30 July 1914, Page 11

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

VALUELESS CHEQUES OVER-TRUSTING PUBLICANS. Yesterday's sitting of the Magistrate's Court was presided over by Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M. On four charges' (to which lie pleaded guilty) of obtaining money by means of valueless 1 cheques, Herbert Thos. Staig, 'alias Porteous, was sentenced to eighteen months' impriscmmont. Chief-Detective Broberg stated that whilst working in Ot-aki -the accused made the acquaintance of- George_ Tulloch and Walter Manning; publioans. Ho received from Tullooh three blank cheques, and filled them in for amounts' totalling £10. • The accused then went to Manning, and obtained one blank cheque, which he filled in for £3. In eacli case ho signed liis own-name, and tho publicans, thinking he bad a banking account, cashed them.

THIEVES DEALT WITH. A wharf .labourer named Thomas Turner was fined £3—in default two mouths' imprisonment—on a charge of stealing three bottles of -Schnapps, valued at los., the property of W. Turnbull and Co. The accused, who was represented by Mr..J. F. W. Dickson, pleaded not guilty, but after ChiefDetective Broberg had called one witness, who 'deposed -to having seen' the accused leave the steamer Alexander with the stolen property in-his possession, counsel eleot-ed 'to substitute a plea of guilty.

Gwynne Lees, alias George Rees, was sentenced to two months'/imprisonment on a oharge ; of stealing an overcoat and a pair of gloves, valued in all at £5 10s., tho property of Allan Ward. ■John Allen, who pleaded guilty to a charge of theft of' an overcoat, valued at £4, tho property of John Thomas Levcttj was convicted and remanded till Friday, for sentence. • 1

ROGUES AND VAGABONDS. '

A sentence of six months' imprisonment was imposed on 'William Francis Harrison, who deemed, to be a rogue and a vagabond, in that he was found by.night without lawful excuse on private property in Fitzlierbert Terrace. Mary Jane Smylie, who was deemed to be a rogue and a vagabond, in that she had insufficient lawful means of support, been previously corivioted for being an.idle and disorderly person, was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, on condition that she remained in the Magdala Home for a period of twelve months.' Inspector Hendrey explained that th.e woman was' homeless and friendless, and had instituted the proceedings herself.' • • OTHER OASES. Edward Bowers was finod £3 or two months in gaol, for using objectionable language on the Lainbton Railway Station. \. Samuel Telfor was • fined £1 for be-, having in' a threatening manner in tho publio bar of the Royal Oak Hotel. • William. Haydon was fined £2 for committing .au objectionable aot. ' Ho was ' convicted and discharged for drunkenness.

" A young man .named. Charles Chad-' wick, - aged.' , ,23.>yeaxs; r i.whb.'jpleaded notguilty to a-'chargo;of'.-.cbmmitting an assault on a boy m' the -Basin Reserveon July 24, was committed'to tho Su- : preme Court for r trial: A .charge of ■ committing an assault on a! '.years"/.was preferred -against -'atf- old man. named Charles Printzen, over 70 years of age. .The accused reserved his l , dofence, and. was committed to tho Supremo Court for trial.