MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2662, 6 January 1916, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

ALLEGED THEFT AFFAIR ON THE CORINTHIC As a- resuit of the discovery of fire and theft on It. M.S. Covinthic at Wellington 011 the morning of December 30 last, two able seamen, named Albert James Adams and Robert Bnlph Can-, appeared in the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, before Mr. D. C!. A. Cooper, S.M. They were charged with stealing from the Corinthic surgical instruments, invalid food, etc., to the value of £60. Chief-Detcctive Boddam conducted the prosecution, and Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared for Carr, but the accusc-d Adams was not represented by counsel. Six witnesses were called by the police. According to tho evidence, Carr and Adams were seen by the nightwatchman of the vessel in one of the alleyways before 3 o'clock in the morning of December 30. About threequarters of an hour later a fire was discovered in the surgery, and when this was extinguished surgical instruments and other articles of considerable value were missing. Tho matter was placcd in the hands of Detective-Sergeants Rawle and Lewis, and later in the day both Adams and Carr were arrested by the detectives. Statements made by the accused were taken down in writing, and were produced in Court yesterday. Adams, in his statement, admitted going to the surgery -with Carr, and there consuming a bottle of brandy. Adams then left by the porthole, and Carr handed to him the surgical instruments and other goods, wliicli were concealed in various places on the vessel. Carr admitted entering the surgery and consuming the liquor, but pleaded that he was so intoxicated that he knew nothing of the theft. The detectives subsequently discovered practically the whole of the missing property. • ; ■ Adams pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Carr was remanded until January 10 in order that Mr. Jackson might call ovidence as to his condition on the evening of December 29. It was intimated that a plea of not guilty would be tendored.

THEFT FROM A LAUNCH. A youth named Albert Cole pleadod guilty to the theft of carpenters' tools vtlluod at £1 the property of William Bird. The goods were taken from , a launch in the Boat Harbour, on December 16. A sentenco_ of fourteen days' imprisonment was imposed. It was mentioned by Chief-Detective Boddam that, at tlio time of the offence, Colo was out on probation in connection with another theft, and that lie would now have to appear in the Supreme Court for breach of the probation order. SHIP'S DESERTER. A Swiss named Arnold Rutschi, who had been employed as » seaman on the steamer Kia Ora, was charged with deserting his ship. He pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment. •In the event of the vessel_ leaving New Zealand before the expiry of the sentence, Rutsclii ■is to be placed on board. OTHER OASES. A soldier named William Tiefney, who had live previous convictions for insobriety, appeared on a further chareo, and bad also to answer for breach of his prohibition order. He pleaded for a chance on the ground that it was his first appearanco in .the dock since going into camp. He was conviotod and ordered to cotno up for sentence when called upon. George Murray was fined £2 for being in posse-ssion of whisky during the currency of a prohibition order. The alternative was seven days' imprisonment. For drunkenness, Guy Cockburii was fined 205., and Joseph Smith 10s., light alternatives being fixed in each case. Several first-offenders were also dealt with. William Charles Hill, appearing on remand, admitted the natcrnity of an unborn illegitimate child; and agreed to enter into a bond for maintenance.