MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2832, 25 July 1916, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

TWO MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT Mr. L. G. I'eid, S.M., presided a.t yesterday's sitting of tho Magistrate's Court. When George Wilson, who is known to tho police by several othfcr names, entered tho dock to answer a charge of being an idle and disorderly person. Inspector Hendrey asked to bo allowed to amend the charge to one of. rogue and vagabond. Mr. P. W. Jackson, who appeared for accused, raised 410 objection, and a plea of not guilty was entered. The evidence went to show that accused was in the habit-cf consorting with other men of doubtful character about the City. • Although he stated that lie had been employed at 1 Featherston Camp and also at a freezing works near Timaru, 110 evidence was brought in support otthis. On the other hand, the polica showed that WilsOn never did any work, and had been, in tho habit of hanging about a certain billiard-room in 'the City for days at a time. Prior to the present chargo being preferred against him, Wilson was serving a sentence for having assaulted a. billiard-room keeper, and when searched a set of spieler's instruments in tlie shape of double-headed and double-tailed pennies as well as a "kip" used in the game of "two up" were found in his possession. Wilson was convicted and sent to prison foi two months. IDLE AND' DISORDERLY. Elena Josephine Everett appeared- to answer a charge of being an idle and disorderly person, in that she begged alms in Vivian Street. She, was also charged with drunkenness. Everett pleaded not guilty. After hearing the evid'enco of police constables, accused made a long statement, in which she strenuously denied tho 'allegation of having begged alms in the street. She also sail! that she was a hard-working woman, and had two children to support. For insobriety, accused was fined 10s., and 011 the major charge the. Magistrate, after severely admonishing her, convicted her and ordered her to come up for sentence when called upon. GAOL THE,ONLY PLACE. An old woman, aged 82 years, named Mary Saunders, pleaded not guilty to being an inoorrigible rogue. According to Inspector Hendrey, tha woman wa3 quite friendless, and begged for a living m the streets. She had been placed in various homes, but would not remain in them for longer than a day. Kto inspector suggested that gaol was the only place to keep the old woman. In concurring, the Magistrate said that in her own interests it would bo better for her j» be placed in prison. -He .therefore sentenced her to two months' detention.

ASSAULT CASE DISMISSED.. Percy Green proceeded against a Chinaman. named Ngan Shia, who keeps a shop in Tory Street, for assault. It was alleged by the prosecution that Green had entered the shop' ou Saturday evening, and had asked for some celery. Shift-accused complainant of owing him sixpence for cigarettes, which was denied. It was alleged that'tho Chinaman then attacked Green without provocation,, and intiioted certain injuries per medium of a broom-handle and a stick. Cross-examined, Green adipitted having had "two or three drinks," and he was not clear as to 'the actual happenings in the shop. ' Evidence for the defence indicated that Green had given provocation by allegedly swearing at the Chinaman, and also punching him on t)ie side when aoensed with tho debt. Tlio Chinaman acted in self-defence when he used the.stick and broom-handle. His Worship'dismissed the case. MISCELLANEOUS CASES. Nils Edi Carlson, for insobriety, Vas fined 205., in default seven days' detention. Timothy Donovan, for a similar oifence, was also lined 205., in default seven days' imprisonment. For being illegally on tho premises of tho New Commercial Hotel on Sunday, July 16, David Appletoa, who did tot appear, was lined 205., with costs'l3s.', ill default 14 dajrs" imprisonment. " • On the application of Chief -Detective Boddam, Frederick Gibbs was remanded

till July 31 on a charge of having 'stolen JC3O in, money and a wristlet watch, valued at 10s., the property of Edward Lane. Bail was allowed in. on 6 sum of .£'so, or two sureties of .£25 each.

A young married woman, named Elleii Morton pleaded guiltj to tho theft of two tables Mid a.chiuv, valued at .£l, the property of Felix Letica. After liearing Inspector Hendrey's explanation of the case, His Worship took a lenient view of it, and lined accused 205., and allowed li days in which to find the money. Alfred Chambers obtained employment as a conduotor on the Wellington City Corporation Tramways on May G, 1916, and ho wag supplied with a conductor's outfit and 10s. for change. He never turned up .to work, however, and was subsequently found, in camp with' the Seventeenth Reinforcements. Testenfvy ho appeared to answer a oharge of theft of the articles and money, and was convicted and ordered to bo handed over to the militai? authorities. An order was made that the articles, and money should bo returned.