MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3144, 24 July 1917, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

I'OUCK AND MAINTENANCE CASKS.

Mr., 1 «. E. M'Garthy, S.M.. presided at tho Magistrate's Court yesterday, and dealt, with tho police cases. There was an unusually large number of first 'offenders for insobriety do fewer than eight being paraded, and all wero lined 10s. to 2bs. each. Gcorso Perrin, previously convicted of insobriety, was lined 205., in default 48 hours' imprisonment; John M'Kiunon was lined 405., with the option of l<l days' imprisonment, and Andrew Hope was fined 205., in default seven days' imprisonment. A plea of not guilty was entered by Albert Olsen, who was charged with being a rogue and a vagabond in that ho was found by night without lawful excuse in enclosed Dremisc3 in Manners Street. Olsen was discovered by a constable at 4 a.m. on the premises. Accused stated that he was a stranger to the city, having been in Wellington only, three weeks. lie mistook tho place where ho was found for the place where lie was hoarding. His story was not convincing, and ho was sentenced to a month's imprisonment. MISTAKEN IDENTITY. Kenneth John Jlatheson was charged that on July 11 he did steal a case of kerosene, the property of some person or persons unknown. The facts in this case were somewhat peculiar. On tho date in question Matheson, who is a carter, was given a certain number of cases of kerosene by the Vacuum Oil Company for delivery to various customers. r l'heso eases were duly delivered. On the same date some carter delivered to James William Smith, grocer, of Taranaki Street, ono case of kerosene. The delivery was made about 5 p.m., and Smith, who was at the time serving a customer, asked tho carter what he was leaving, to which there was no reply. Five or seven minutes later Smith mounted his bicycle and came up with Jfatheson, about 200 yds. from the shop, aud requested him to come back and take the kerosene away. Matheson declined (o do so, declaring that he had not left it there. Smith eventually gave Matheson in charge. It wan disclosed in evidence that tho ease of keroseuo left at Smith's shop was of a different brand to that handled by the Vacuum Oil Company. Mr. H. R O'Leary. who appeared for accused, said there was nothing: to answer, for it was obviously a case of mistaken identity, with which view the 'Hagistraie agreed, and dismissed tho information. lI.L-TKKATIXG A HOHSK. A fine of £5 mid costs, with the option of one month's imprisonment, was the penalty imposed on Alfred Bradley, who was eunvicted of cruelly ill-treating a horse. Mr.. 11. 11. Webb conducted Hie prosecution on behalf yf the Society for the Prevention of Cruelly to Animals. Captain James Kcurv, inspector for the society, stated that defendant backed his horse and cart out of Kelbnru Avenue, and, on getting into the street-, holding the liorso by the head, commenced thrashing the animal with a whip which had about art- of steel wire on the end. lie stopped thrashing tho horse on sceine witness, and when remonstrated with said: "What the — has it got to do with 'you?" Accordinic lo'lnspector Henry the horse seemed very quiet, and did not require chastising in any way. Jtr. Webb snid it was « case of- gross cruelty, and asked that a severe penalty, should bo imposed. JfAINTEXASCK OASIS. Maintenance cases were dealt with as follow:—Albert Walter Cook, who was in arrears t<l the extent of £7. was ordered Lo pay the amount forthwith, or serve 14 days in gaol; '. George ITcnry Bradley, with ■ arrears totalling £8 55., was sentenced to si.t months' imprisonment, tho warant not to be issued unless a veciuest is made for its issue , by tho complainant. Herbert Moll'att.' whose arrears tootled £6 7s. 6d.. and who had paid', the amount into Court. ■ was-- lined £5 an' , , costs, with the alternative of one month's impris.mmciilv Mr. V. W. Jackson, who oupnared for Hie complainant, said to the .Magistrate: "This man, who is well pays unless he is forced to do so. with tho result, that the iibnvc penalty was imA remand for a week w.i? crnrtcd iu the 1

caso of IFonry l'rudiok Elliot, charged that at Gore lie did fail to provide hia vrifo and cliilil with adequate maintenance. Bail was nllowed in £100 and two sureties of £M ouch.