MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2414, 20 March 1915, Page 5

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

ASSAULT ON A WOMAN

A SENTENCE OP THREE MONTHS Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., presided over the sitting of the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning. Patrick Gibbons pleaded guilty to tiie charge that he committed an aggravated assault on Elizabeth Musgrave. Inspector Hendrey said the accused was seen to strike tho woman on the face-. Accused liad been living with the woman, and accosted her in the street the day before and knocked her down. A.further charge of having used obscene language was also heard against accused. Accused said that it was only a drunken brawl. _ The Magistrate: "It is drunken brutes like you who get these unfortunate women down, and they cannot recover again." A sentence of three months' imprisonment was imposed on the assault charge, and a fine of £3, in default one month's imprisonment on the other charge, the sentences to be cumulative. OPIUM SMUGGLERS FINED £25. Two Chinamen, Heong Trey, and Wee Kiang, were charged with smuggling opium suitable for smoking, on Thursday. The Inspector of Customs appeared for the Department and _ said that they only pressed for the minimum penalty. The minimum fine of £25 in each case was imposed, with 17s. 6d. costs. It was notified that the fine would be paid.

THEFT OF SACKS.

Two men named Edward Mohan and Alfred Hansen were charged with the theft of 25 sacks each, valued at 12s. 6d., from Messrs. Thompson Bros. Inspector Hendrey said the meii went to Messrs. Thompson Bros, yesterday and each took a bundle of sacks. Hansen was also charged with the theft of twenty-three sacks, valued at lis. 6d., the property of the State Coal Co. A conviction was entered in each case. Mohan, who had previous convictions, was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment, and Hansen was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment on each charge. THEFT FROM CLOTHES LINE. John Dawson, found by night in the Mount Cook stables, was charged that he was a rogue and a vagabond. He was also charged with four charges of theft, of various articles of clothing valued at 38s. 6d., taken from tho clothes line at the barracks. He pleaded guilty to these charges, and not guilty to the charge of theft of an overcoat. Evidence was given that at oils time accused was stationed at tho barracks as a naval reservist. He was dismissed from the service, and had no right on the premises. On the charge of being a roguo and a vagabond accused was convicted and sentenced to three months' imprisonment. On each of the other charges he was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment, the sentences to be concurrent. REMANDS ON THEFT CHARGES. John Tuck, who pleaded guilty earlier in the week to the theft of a rug, valued at 18s. 6d., the property of W. T. Quinton, and who was remanded, pleaded not guilty yesterday when he appeared on remand. As the previous plea had been made before Justices of the Peace, accused was further remanded to get evidence against him. Ho will appear on Monday, when ho will also answer to a charge of having deserted from the s.s. Matatua. Thos. Hayes, on two charges of theft, of a bridle, spurs, and other articles, to the value of £3, pleaded not guilty and was remanded for one week. Bail was allowed in the sum of £10. OTHER CHARGES. Elizabeth Musgrave, a second offender for drunkenness, was fined 205., in default three days' imprisonment, and three first offenders were dealt with in the usual manner. Walter Whale was charged with having deserted from the s.s. Remuera at Port Chalmers in September last. Ho pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to one month's imprisonment. Thomas M'Cusher pleaded guilty to a charge of breaking a pane of glass, valued at 165., and was ordered to repay the amount of damage, with costs 95., in default threo days' imprisonment. EXCESSIVE MOISTURE IN BUTTER. Tho Rata Co-operative Dairy Company were fined a nominal sum of £1, with costs 75., for a breach of the Act in attempting to export butter containing more than 16 per.cent, water. The information was laid by E. Givillian, Government grader, who said that the Department only wanted to draw attention to the matter, for if butter was allowed to go Home in that state it might affect the trade. For the company it was stated that the offence had been inadvertently committed. BY-LAW CASES. Numerous cases of breaches of the City by-laws wore dealt with. For breaches relating to motor-cars fines were imposed as follow:—Arthur Charles, £1, with casts 75.; Eric Johnston, 65., costs 75.; Arthur Douglas Cook, 55., costs 75.; Whitcombe and Pym, 10s., costs 75.; Levin Henry Hall, 55., costs 75.; J. G. Phillips, 55., costs 75.; James Moxham, costs 7s. For riding a bicycle without a light Mathew Wollington was fined ss, with costs 7s. For allowing horses or cattle to wander upon the roads John Stewart was convicted and discharged; John Hamilton, fined 10s., with costs 75.; Andrew M'Cliutock fined us., costs 75.: G. Bradley, 55., costs 75.; Arnold Davies 65., costs 75.; Mary Feeloy, 55., costs 75.; Paul Olsen 55., costs 95.; Henry Maher 5., costs 75.; Henry Allen 55., costs 75.; James Bradshaw 55., costs 75.; Florence Henrickson, 55., costs 75.; John Chamber, costs 17s. (3d. Stanley Burgess, jeweller, was fined £1 and costs for failing to close his shop at 9 p.m. ALLEGED CRUELTY TO A HORSE. Samuel Bray, Island Bay, was charged with ill-treating a horse in that he failed to supply it with shelter whil® sick. The information was laid by F. J. Cocker, and was supported by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Mr. R. H. Wobb appeared for the socicty and Mr. P. W. Jackson for the defendant. Frederick J. Cocker gave ovidence that he had seen the horse in defendant's paddock, and it appeared to bo in great pain, and unattended. W. C. Quinnell, veterinary surgeon, who ordered the destruction of tho horse, said that it was suffering from some iutornal complaint, and had been in great pain. For the defence Mrs. Bray gave evidence that the 'horse had been treated for four days for influenza. It was only on tho day that the inspector had appeared that the horse became worse. Defendant gave evidence ithat the horse was bought in August for £25. Decision was reserved, and will bo given this morning.