MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2357, 13 January 1915, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

A TROOPER E TROUBLE STEALING A PORTMANTEAU, A member of the Expeditionary Force named Frank Ryland appeared before Mr. D. 6. A. Cooper, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning charged with the theft of a portmanteau and contents, of a total value of £16, the property of Robert Mackay. Accused, who was not represented by counsel, entered a plea of guilty. Chief Detective Boddam explained that the portmanteau had disappeared from the hall of the People's Picture Palace about a week ago. The following day a portion of the stolen property was disposed of to twj second-hand dealers. Later' accused was arrested at Trentham by Detective Dempsey and Constable Tricklebank, and charged with, the offence. Nothing was known about accused, who stated he came from Christchurch: Asked if he had anything to say, Ryland said that recently he had undergone an operation at the Hospital, and thatwhen he was discharged from that institution he had no money. This had led to his stealing and realising on the portmanteau. The Magistrate remarked that under the circumstances there was no option but to sentence the accused to one month's gaol, and this he would reluctantly do. OTHER OASES. A man named_ Casper Stringer' appeared charged with resisting Constable Fleming in the execution pi his duty. He was remanded to January 15, bail being allowed in the sum of £10, with two sureties of £5 each. Inspector Hendrey intimated that another charge was ponding against accused, that of assaulting a woman by spitting on her. A native of Malta, Joseph Saliba, was convicted and discharged for drunkenness, and fined £3, or one month's imprisonment, for using obscene language. Alfred John Ch'ote was-ordered to be imprisoned for one month on a chargo of failing to pay for the maintenance of his illegitimate child, • the arrears amounting to £44 125.. The sentence is to be suspended on the payment of £1 a fortnight off the ar'ears, while 265. expenses are to he refunded; Two first. offenders were dealt with for drunkenness. OIYIL OASES., Judgment was given for plaintiff by default in ■ the following . undofendcd civil cases by Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., yesterday-.—The Public Trustee v. Mrs. A. M'DonneM, £6 6s. 7d., costs £1 9s. 6d..; the Wellington Woollen Manufacturing Company, Ltd., v. Jas. Rivers and Co., £21 10s. 3d., costs £2 14s.