MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2870, 7 September 1916, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THEFT FROM A STEAMER HEAVY FINE INFLICTED Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., presided at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. Charles Lawson pleaded guilty to tho theft of 257 sparking plugs, of tho value of £13 175., the property of the Luckonbach S.S. Company. Sergeant Emerson, who conducted the prosecution, in the abscneo of Inspector Hen-, drey, stated that the company's steamer arrived here in July, and Lawson was one of the gang working cargo. A few days later accused was seen by Detective Carney in possession of the sparking plugs, and was unable 1 to account for their possession. There were no previous convictions against Lawson.

Mr. H. F. O'Leary, who appeared for accused,, stated that Lawson was not the thief, but lie was endeavouring to sell tho goods, and they had been stolen. By pleading guilty ho had 'saved the Police Department considerable expense, and considering all the circumstances, he asked that accused be, dealt with leniently. The Magistrate said that it had been his intention to impose a term of imprisonment without tho option of a fine, but the accused having no previous convictions, he had decided to reconsider tho matter. Thefts of cargo were becoming too frequent, and wore hard to detect. A fine of £10, with tho option of two months' imprisonment was imposed.

THEFT OF A WATCH. Henry Donham pleaded guilty to the theft of a metal watch, valued at 10s., the property of Thomas M'Callum, a farmer from Eltham. According to the facts brought out in the evidence, tho accused, the complainant M'Callum, and two others were at the bar of a hotel in the city. Sergeant Lewin and Constable Fleming entered the bar, when accused was observed patting the complainant witli his hand. Presently accused was seen to put his hand behind his back, and a watch was in his hand. The sergeant asked M'Callum if he possessed a watch, and the latter, on feeling his pocket, found that his watch had disappeared. Accused was taxed with the theft of the watch, and eventually produced it. The accused pleaded guilty, and -was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. NINE MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. Eric Norman M'Alinden, who was described by Detective Lewis as a waster, appeared to answer threo charges: (1) Being found drunk, and there being sis previous convictions against him during the past six months he was fined £3, with the option of one month's imprisonment. On tho second charge, of assaulting Joseph Mooney in the police cells, he was fined _ 405., in default fourteen days' imprisonment. The third charge was being a rogue and a vagabond, in that he had insufficient lawfhl moans of support. It was stated by the polico that M'Alin. don was a returned soldier, having come back to New Zealand in February last. Ho had done very littlo Work since, and his behaviour had been very bad. Ho had been warned sovernl times without effect. Accused had been previously convicted in Wangamii of heincr .an idle and disorderly person. Mr'Alinden said he had again enlisted, and expected to get away with tho next draft. However, he was and sentenced to nine months' imprisonment.

ALLEGED BAG-SNATCHING. Thomas Ridout was charged with the ■ theft oh August 25 of a silver watchehain, Wo buttons, and 3s. 6d. in money, tho property of.May Hodgson, and of the theft on May 24 of a black leather bag, a purse, and othei articles of the valuo of 255., from the person of Florence Price. Mr. H. F. O'Leary appeared for accused. ■ Tho complainant in the first caso stated that she and _ a friend- wore walking on Mount Victoria, close to the Pirie. Street Reserve, on the day in question. Her handbag was attached to her belt, and contained 3s. 6d. in money and the goods njentioned in tho charge. Accused came towards them, passed by, and then turned round and snatched her bag. Ha ran off up the hill with it, and later he whistled to her, and threw the bag down. She recovered _ the bag, but the contents were missing. Corroborative evidence was given by tho complainant's companion; On tho second charge, tho complainant stated that accused snatched her bag_ from her on Mount Victoria, near Pirie Street. '■•■ The handbag and contents were valued at 255, Accused, according to Detective Andrews, had been identified at the police ; station by several women as the man who had snatched their handbags. Ridout reserved his defence,, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial,

WOMAN CHARGED WITH BIGAMY. Maud Williams, alias W r aring, alias Cochrane, forty-two years of age, appeared before Mr. D. G. A. Uooper, S.M:, in the Magistrate's Court yestor. day on a charge of committing' bigamy. Chief-Detective Boddam stated that the accused was married to Williams on September 21, 1901, at "Wellington, and went through a form of marriage with' Cochrane m Auckland on January 16, 1909. Airs. Amy Rankin, who in 1901 resided in Dixon Street, and let rooms, stated that she knew accused, who, with Mr. Williams, rented a room from, her: The parties were not then married, but very soon afterwards they were married, at the Registry Office in Wellington, witness being present on the occasion. The marriage certificate was produced by Chief-Detective Boddam. William Oscar Cochrane, a' cook, in his evidence, stated that he went through a' form of- marriage with accused at the Registry Office in Auckland on January 16, 1909. Previous to the marriage accused said she was a widow, and described herself as such to the Registrar. They had lived together for four years, when, owing to her intemperate habits, witness left her. Before they separated she spoke of Williams, and said he was her husband. Witness did not .know Williams then, but met him a few months a E°- ' , Evidence was given by the police that when accused was arrested sho said sho expected trouble, as Williams, who went under tho name of Willisen, had been annoying her. Accused Tcserved her defence, and was committed to the Suprenw Court for trial. Bail was allowed in £20 and one surety of £20. OTHER CASES. For insobriety two first offenders were convicted and discharged,, and Harry Kennedy with one previous conviction was fined 10s. in default fortyeight hours' imprisonment. Dominic Polascino pleaded guilty, to having committed an indecent act in Cornwall Street, and was fined 405., in default fourteen days' imprisonment.