MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2273, 6 October 1914, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGES

£3000 INVOLVED

A well-dressed young man. named John Alexander M'Kinnon appeared before Mr. D! G. A. Cooper, S.M., yesterday morning, charged with the tlieft of £44 2s. from the New Zealand Express Co. Chief-Detective Broberg explained that the theft had been committed in May of 1911. Some time ago M'Kinnon had been arrested in England, and had been sent back with' an escort to the Dominion. He had arrived by the Tainui that morning. The reason that he was brought before the Court was that an application for bail might be made. The bail money, thought the Chief-Detective,- should be very sub- . stantial, as there were . 82 charges against defendant, tho total sum involved being £3000. Small bail, as His Worship ■ would see, would- be useless in such a case.

While this explanation was being made, accused leisurely adjusted his pince-nez and opened and Tead a letter.

Mr. P. B. Cooke, who appeared for accused, asked that the bail be light.The Magistrate fixed it in £500, with two sureties of £250, for one day only. M'Kinnon was remanded to appear in Christchurch this morning.

AN OVERCOAT THIEF.

Chas. Henry Williams pleaded guilty to the theft of an overcoat valued at £3 10s. from Arthur Robert Green..

Inspector Hendrey explained that for several 'nights past Williams had been attending tho "Palais de Dahso" in Vivian Streot. During that time several overcoats bad been missed, and. acoused was suspected. A watch was sot, as tho result of which Williams wae caught in tho act of making off with one of ■ the overcoats. Tho Inspector asked for a remand till Friday noxt, so that further inquiries might bo made about accused.

OTHER CASES,

Frederick .dc Lisle was remanded till Friday on a olmrgo of thieving mi 9vor« ceftt valued: at £3 Uon .Wm. Hgraifi._

For drunkenness, Mary Jonnstonj an old offender, was sentenced to' one month's imprisonment. Mary Hunter was fined £2, or 14 days; William Davis, 205., or three days; and Harry Clark, Chas. M'Carthy, Chas. Blake, and Edward Roberts each 10s., or 48 hours. Seven first offenders were dealt with.

MAINTENANCE CASES. . Rees Watkins, charged' with having failed to comply with an order for the payment of 12s. 6d. per. week for the maintenance of his wife, wae ordered to pay the full arrears, £3 2s. 6d., forthwith, or be imprisoned for seven days, the warrant to be suspended while.lie pays off at the rate of £1 per week. Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared for Mrs. Watkins, and Mr. D. J. Smith for the defendant. Joseph Flanagan, in similar circumstances, his arrears being £4 2s. 6d., was ordered to pay the arrears forthwith, or be. imprisoned for seven days.