SUPREME COURT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3167, 18 August 1917, Page 13

SUPREME COURT

RADCLIFFE FOUND GUILTY SENTENCED TO NINE MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT Herbert liaton Kudcliflr, recently .Chief Clerk iu the Miuus- Department, was retried yesterday on chsirgos of stealing sums of £150 and £35 Is. 10d., the property of tlio Government. His Honour Mr. .Tustico Hosking occupied tho bench. Mr. V. K. Meredith prosecuted, and Mr. T. M. YVilford defended. The statements made- for the prosecution and for the defence were published when tho case was before the Court a littlo more than a. week ago. Tho jury found the prisoner guilty, and added to their verdict tho following rider: "Wo recommend that tho attention of the Public Servico Commissioner ba drawn to the need for better Hafcguards in dealing with public moneyß (1) by requiring payees to write the amonnte In words when requiring receipts, (2) by making a regulation to tho ellect that certifying olUccrs cannot operate on either imprest accounts or deposit accounts without tho counter-signature- of another responsible officer." His Honour sentenced Rtidclifle to nine months' imprisonment with hard labour.

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

POLICE AND BY-LAW CASES, At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, llr. L. G. Held, H.H.. presided aud heard the police aud by-law caeca. For JDbobriety. Henry Jackson was fined 10s., and fpr using obscene language- he was fined 40s. An elderly man named Thomas O'Brien was charged with stealing a lady's costume coat valued at £4 Is., tho property of Evelyn Dawsou. The latter stated that accused camo to the office where eho was working, and aeked for money, stating that ho had not had any food for three or four days, and was recently out of lioe.pital. When he left, tho coat was missing. The accused, who waa an old offender, was convicted and sentenced to a month's Imprisonment. A. ylea of guilty was entered by Alexander, Oolvillo to tho charge of being an idlo and disorderly person, in that he possessed insufficient means of support. SubInspector Dow stated that accused was discovered walkiug about tho streets at 4 o'clock iu tho morning. Ho told the constablo ho had no place to Bleep in, and had had no food for two days. While in the watch-houso Colvillo had α-vory bad fit. Ho waß convicted nnd ordered to como lip for sentence when called upon. For employing a person who had not enrolled under tho Military Servico Act, the Union Steam Ship Company was fined tho minimum of £50, with costs. Afr. P. Lcvi, whoj appeared for tho defendant company, admitted tho broach. Tho offender was a fireman, and counsol stated that tho company had dono overything noasiblo to carry out tho regulations. Tho Government wero considering making it imperative lor seamen to produco their enrolment carda when signing on a ship at the Bhipping master's office. Frederick Mos3, for failing to enrol under tho Military Service Act. wan fined £5, with costs 7a. Defendant had enrolled in Iho Second Division, and -Hid Worship sa'd It was evident, that Mosa attempted to ovade his responsibilities. On a similar oha.rgo James Henry King waa liued 10s. and costs 7e. For failing to notify change of abode to t.hn Government Statistician, Richard Herbert Williams waa fined 10s. aud costs 7s. Walter Anderson, for omitting to raako application to register change of ownership of a, motor-car, was fined 27b. ■ Eliza. Trout, was fined 10b. nud costs for allowing a chimney In a hotiso Siho occupied to catch fire. For driving an insufficiently lighted vehicle at night, William Popo was penalised tQ the amount) of 275. : For failing to enrol In tho Itcecrve and assuming another namo without, the written authority of tho Miuistor of Defence, William Cox was fined 405., with costs, on the flrefc charge, and £5 and coste on the second. Donald Kcrr, for whom Mr. T. Ncave appeared, pleaded guilty to keeping poultry in a manner contrary lo tho city by-laws, and' was fined 10s. , and costs.

For failing to register a dog, Henry Donkin was fined IDs. nnd costs vs.'

An. attaok of rheumatism was the plen advanced by John Wells, who. was-found drunk in a. public place. A'-'flnc of IDs. with" costs was-imposed.' A family quarrel resulted in William Davie proceeding against George Cowan for assault. Tho latter was convicted and fined 205., with costs 30?. Bd. Mr. H. F. OXeary appeared for plaintiff, and Jlr. ]'. J. O'Eegan for defendant.

OKUELTV TO A HORSE. Wah Ohong, a Chinees hawker, was charged with ill-treating a horse. Mr. 0. C. llazengarb, who appeared for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Adimala, said that a. number of complaints had been received respecting tho accused. Inspector Henry had mado inquiries, and for some time was unablo to locate Ohons. Ho was eventually discovered at ICarori in chargo of,a horse and express. The vehiole contained a heavy load of vegetables, and tho horse was lamo and scarcely ablo to walk. On being examined tho animal was found to lio suffering from ringbone and swollen tendons. It was ia great pain. Tho animal was shown to the police, and, the diseaso being incurable, an order was obtained and the animal destroyed. Counsel stated that it was unusual for a Chinaman to bo charged with ill-treating an- animal. Ohons stated that he fed the horse well, and did riot know it was Butlering from ringbone. He had purchased the animal two years ago for £28, and thought the swelling on tho leg was duo to a shoo being too tight. Tho inspector, he contended, had not given him an opportunity to euro it. His Worship said that, no doubt the man offended through ignorance. Ho would be convicted and fined 20a., with costs 28s.