MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2890, 30 September 1916, Page 14

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

. REVOLTING CRIME "A LOW-DOWN BLACK-GUARD " Mr. D. 0. A. Cooper occupied the bench, at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. _ "This poor woman has been, mora suinod against than sinned," said His "Worship jn answer to Mr. P. W. Jackson, who appeared on behalf of a. married woman who had boon convicted of importuning in Clyde Quay. The case was one of a most revolting nature, in which a man named Matthew Cornwell, 40 years of ago, had induced a poor defenceloss' woman to load a life of ill-fame. She has a child five years of age : and her husband is at prosont fighting in tho trencliea for his country. His wifo draws the small sum of 28s. per month. The woman had been induced to go and live with Cornwall, and he bad instructed her how to go to work. Mr. Jackson's strong appeal for leniencywas sympathetically received by Hib Worship, who convicted the woman and ordered her to como up for sentence when called upon. The man, Matthew Cornwell, was charged witb having lived partly on the earnings of the woman, contrary to the War .Regulations Act. Evidence was given by Sergeant M'Kelvie and Constable Black, which described ( tho pitiful picture of the woman being under the thumb of tho "bludger," as the Magistrate termed him. 'life man had sent her out and had acted as scout. Cornwell took tho money away from tho woman and then waited for more. The woman' stated in evidenco that all the money sho obtained she gavo to accused. Inspector Hendroy said that if the facts of the caso were proved, the Court had no power to inflict sufficient punishment on suoh "a low-down blackguard." ' His Worship asked Cornwell if he desired to givo evidence, and received a reply in the negative. His Worship: Well, then, in my opinion tho case is amply proved. You. are one of those low-down brutes who live on unfortunate women. Accused: Oh, no Your Worship. His Worship: I say you are. Inspector Hendrey hero interjected that this class of man obtained tho services of these unfortunate women, and tho soldiers in camp had to be protected. Ho said that some time ago the Health Department had commenced a campaign, and had asked people to "swat that fly." Now he asked His Worship to "swat this man." The Magistrate, to accused: "You'ro what is called a bludgor. You are sentended -'to • imprisonment for - nine months." CAREER. OF CRIME. 'A young man named Robert Williams, alias Willis, appeared in the : dock to answer five charges of having uttered valuoless cheques to people in various parts of the North Island, and in exchange ho had obtained goods and money. The offences had taken place at Wellington. Auckland, and Te Kuiti. Accused had neld the rank of oorporal in the 17th Reinforcements, and bad already committed similar offences at Taihape, Marton, and New. Plymouth, and had, in 1912, at the, last-named place, received, a sentence of three years' imprisonment. In connection with the offences at Taihnpe, Marton, and New Plymouth, Williams was awaiting sontence by the Supremo Court. , The Magistrate dccidod-to send accused to prison for six months on each oHarge, the sentences to be concurrent. ADULTERATED MILK. "Imported" milk delivered by a milk vendor named Bertram Thomas Elliott, of Brooklyn, was- tho cause of him appearing yesterday to answer a charge of having sold adulterated milk. According to defendant's counsel, Mr. J. F. W. Dickson, the milk in question was only slightly deficient in butter-fat. He had ■ obtained the milk from his own herd, but on-account of a shortage had been compelled to get a supply from Te Horo. It was the latter milk with which fault ,had been found. Mr. V. R. Meredith, appearing for the prosecution, isaid that guilty knowledge was not necessary to. prove a charge. If a vendor showed neglect ill not testing his milk he was guilty. Mr. Cooper said that the vendors should take every precaution to see that the milk came up to standard under the Act. Tho Act is specially worded to protect purchasers, so that they get-good wholesome food. His Worship also said that lie looked upon tho present case as a serious one, and he would inflict a'fine of £2. with costs 17s. Gel, in default 14 davsf imprisonment. . ••• ' DESERTING HIS SHIP. 'A. seaman named Andreas Constantino, employed on the mail steamer Arawa, appeared to answer a charge of having unlawfully absented himsolf from the ship.'without leave. Mr. H. F. O'Leary, who appeared for accused, in applying for a remand, .said that his-client was not fit to go to sea on account of having sustained, a rupture.: . Inspector Hendrey said that tho ship's doctor had-certified that Constantino was well able to proceed in the ■ At this stage a remand was granted till'to-day till accused had had further medical treatment . ALLEGED THEFT OF BLANKETS. Two young men named Frederick Wilson and Edward Raffello Bentley were charged with stealing a-rug and two blankets, valued at about £2, tho property of Mrs. E. Carnoy. According to Inspcotor Hendrey both accused were arrested in the :ftiartinborough district, whero'they had been engaged in scrub cutting. It was alleged that the two young men took tho articles referred to from Carney's baordinghiuso when they were staying there oil August 26. ' ' [ After, the evidence of Constable Dick, of Martinliorough,' had been taken in regard to his inquiries.and arrest of accused, an adjournment was granted till Monday: SECOND-HAND. DEALER FINED. ; Four charges of having purchased' certain goods aftor 6 p.m.. on various dates were preferred against a. secondhand dealer named Morris Brickman..| Tho offence cost Brisckuian a. fine of 10s, in respect of each charge, together with 445. costs. BY-LAW OASES. ■ ■ Janicß Keery left his cart standing unattended in Adolaido Road for a longer timo than allowed, and he was fined 55., with costs 7s. For allowing stock to wander at Karori, Mrs. AJico Wickiuan was fined 55., witlrcosts 7s. Aftor further hearing of evidence, tho caso of Charles F. Loathorby, who was charged with having drivon a motorcar on Evans Bay Road at a speed and in a manner which was dangerous to tho public, was adjourned till Friday noxt. DELINQUENT PARENTS. John Tofts, John M'Cormack, and Frederick Beard were cacli fined 10s., with costs 75., for failing to soud their oliildron to school. For a similar oflenco James Robertson and Thos. Scorengie 1 wore fined 25., with costa 75..

inSOELLMBODS OASES. Eugene O'Connell ploadod guilty to lining used obscene language in a railway carriago between. "Wellington and Belmont, and the ofl'ence cost him £3, witnesses' ox;)onses £1 Bs., and costs 13s. If ho fails to pay these amounts he will have to go to gaol for a month. Stanley Shaw and Robert MacCr.w appeared to answer a. charge of having quitted a train whilst it was in motion. Each defendant was ordered to pay witnesses' oxpensos and costs, the total of which amounted to 38s. Inspector Hendrey desoribed Mary Evans, alias Allen; alias Redmond, who was charged; with importuning in Ghuznce Street, as one of tho unfortunate women with which Wellington is at present infested. As Evans had previously been convicted for a similar offenco she was sent to prison for throe months. William Freeman, an old offender, Tras lined 205., in default three days' detention, for drunkennoss. A plea of guilty was entered by William Gordon and Edward Mohan, who were charged that on September 23 they did steal about 2ewt. of lead and copper wire, valued, at about £2, the property of the Kia Ora Galvanising Company. Both accused were remanded for sentenco till this morning.