MAGISTRATE'S COURT
A COUNTRY VISITOR HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE CITY Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., presided at .yesterday's sittings of the Magistrate's Court. The charge sheet included several indictable cases, but only one of these was proceeded with. A middle-aged man, named Jeremiah Kirby, was charged with theft from the person. He was alleged to have taken a purse containing a sum of £1 10s. from Leslie Gawler on June 1. Inspector Hendrey conducted tie prosecution, the accused not being represented by counsel. According to the evidence of the informant, a visitor from the country, he was standing outside the Trocadero Hotel on Lambton Quay on the evening of June 1, when ho was approached by accused and another mail, who engaged in conversation with him. When the conversation concluded, the informant (Gawler) discovered that his coat pocket had been cut by somo instrument, ajid that his purse, containing £1 10s. was missing. He followed accused, and handed him over to a constable; the accused's companion having, in the meantime, disappeared. When arrested, the accused did not have in his possession the stolen purse or any of the money (a pound note and' a halfsovereign) alleged to have been contained ill it. Giving evidence, in his own defence, the accused (Kirby) denied knowledge of the theft, and denied having seen the informant (Gawler) prior to the time of tho arrest. A plea of not guilty was then taken from the accused, ajid he was committed for trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court in this city. ALLEGED NEGLECT OF LEGAL DUTY. Arising out of an occurrence at tho Porirua Menta-l Hospital last month, when a patient was scalded to death in a bath, a charge of manslaughter was yesterday preferred against John Dickson, an attendant at the institution. It was alleged that Dickson, who appeared on bail, had neglected to perform a legal duty, thereby causing tho death of James Hamblyn. Mr. E. C. Levvey (in the absence of Mr. T. M. Wilford) appeared for the aco.:s&d, and applied for a remand until next. -.reek. The jjirgistrate fixed the hearing for 2.15 p.m. on Tuesday next, bail being granted as before. FURTHER REMANDED. Charles Dempster, who was represented by Mr. A. H. HincLmarsh, appeared on remand on a charge of stealing from Butterworth Bros, a quantity of' gouvl; valued at £25. Ho was further remanded until 2.15 p.m. to-day, when the evidence of one witness will bo taken. Tho case will probably be then further adjourned. Appearing on remand on six charges of misappropriation of moneys belonging to David K. Blair, Robert Pitcaitlily was further remanded until Juno 16. Mr. E. C. Levvey, in the absence of_ Mr. Wilford, mado application for bail, and the accused was liberated on the same sureties as on previous occasions. 'A STOLEN RING. Mercia King pleaded guilty to a charge of theft of a gold ring, valued at i£3 10s., the property of Martha Haines. 1 She was not represented by counsel. Chief-Detective Boddam stated that the accused (a young woman) was not known to the police. The theft had been committed at the Albermarle Private Hotel, and the ring had been sold to a second-hand dealer for 10s. If His Worship would grant a remand for a week ,inquiries could be made at Christchurch. whence the accused came, and in the meantime she might be handed over to the Salvation Army authorities. Tho Magistrate accordingly granted the remjwd. AN AFFECTIONATE HUSBAND. Richard Ncavc Coutts, who had been working at Raetihi under the name of William Cook, admitted that he had disobeyed _an order of tho Court, requiring him to contribute the sum of 355. per week towards tho support of his wife and seven children. Since the order was made some years ago, Coutts had made no payment, and his family had been supported by charitable aid. Ho now expressed his willingness to sijzn an order, handing over half his earnings in payment of maintenance. The Magistrate remarked that, as the accused had paid nothing to date, and as his family had_ been supported by charitable aid, it did not seem to matter if they continued to receive such support. Accused had already had abundant chances to comply with the order, and would now be sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labour. ' THE INEBRIATES. Joseph Cowan, against whom there were four previous convictions in the past six months, pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness, and was fined 405.. in default to undergo seven days' imprisonment. There being only one conviction against James William O'Neill, who also admitted being drunk, he was penalised to the extent of 10s. only, default being fixed at 48 hours' imprisonment. Violet Pat-on, for drunkenness, was also fined 10s., in default to undergo 48 hours' Imprisonment.
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Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2484, 10 June 1915, Page 9
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801MAGISTRATE'S COURT Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2484, 10 June 1915, Page 9
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