MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3195, 20 September 1917, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

CHARGE OP RECEIVING STOLEN GOODS. Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M.. presided at the Magistrate's Oourt • yesterday, •■ and heard the police • oases. A young married couple, named Henry Alexander Lucas and Violet Luoas, were charged with rocoivine stolon goods on several dates last month, well knowing ■ the articles to havo boon dishonestly obtained. Chief-Detective Boddam prosecutod, and Mr. E. JI. Beechey appeared for the two accused.' Detective Boddam, in opening the case, stated that a young man named Axe) Martin Persson, who was in July and August employed by Collins Bros., Ltd., wholesale stationers, as a paoker, stole . the goods mentioned in the charges and sold them to the accused, who at that time were not married. Mrs. Lucas, had been employed in • a stationery business for some time, and. must have known what sho was doing. There were a series ■ of oharges of receiving stolen goods. Axel Martin Persson, a Swede,, admitted that he was convioted on September 12 of stealing avariety, of Roods from tho warehouse of Collins Bros., Ltd. He stated that he.know both accused. On Augußt ' 18 witness BaS a conversation with the ' male accused, whom he asked to como i round to his place, 57 Pipftoa Street, as i ho had some stuff. He told Lucas vkere he was working. Lucas came vp the following da-v (Sunday) as arranged, and ' brought the female accused wijih him. Witness showed them the stationery he .had in his room, and gold it to the ao ; -bused for £9. When ho mado the sale ha told them ho had taken the goods from Collins Brothers. Lucas obtained a motorcar and took the goods to his shop in 1 Lambton Quay, where witness was -paid 1 £9. Ho sold further lots of goods to the i accused, all of which he obtained from ; Collins Brothers. [ To Mr. Beechey: He asked Lucas if : ha would like to buy stationery. Ho told ' Lucas ho had iusb finished travelling and ' had a lot of > stuff left over which he wanted to get rid of. He had also told Lucas that he (witness) was a thief, and had stolen goods from Collins Brothers. Some of the goods he had in his possession he bought. Thomas Byrne Gusscott, manager in Wellington for Collins Bros.. Ltd., gave del tails as to tho taking of. stock at the warehouse and the stook found to he ' missing. He identified some of tho goods' J produced as the property of hie firm. Charles Guthrio, carrier, stated that by , instructions received from Persson ho took a oase of goods and delivered it at t the shop owned by Lucas. Mr. B. JI. Beechey, on behalf of accused, : asked to have the charges' dealt with summarily. There were nine charges, but

in only ono was tho amount involved above £20. His Worship held that it was a. caBC that should go to the Supreme Court. The accused thereupon pleaded not guilty and were committed to the Supremo Court for trial. Bail was allowed in £50 and two sureties of £25 each. OTHEB OHAKGES. John William Knott Dlcaded guilty to tho theft of ono packet of candles and ono packet of matches, value Is. 6d. ChicfDetectivo JBoddam stated that accused was working cargo on tho s.s. Huia, and broachedthe cargo. There was no previous conviction for theft against accused. A fine of 205., in default seven' days' imprisonment was imposed,. Jack Lockmood was charged with stealing a ranor value 55., tho property of Michael Leddy. According to the evidence the acoused, complainant and 'Another man occupied the same room in a boardinghouse, and all three possessed razors. Accused, when leaving the place, took «. razor which he thought was hiE~ own, but whioh happened to i:olong to the complainant. After hearing the evidence tho Magistrate dismissed the information. Andrew John Davison was fined 305., in default three days' imprisonment, for being disorderly in Manners Street while drunk. A fine of 405., indefaultH days'imprisonment, was imposed on Elizabeth Mnsgravc for using obsceno langtiaiso in a rublic place, and Bhe was convicted and discharged for drunkenness. Peter Peterson was fined 10s.,.in.default 48 hours' imprisonment, for drunkenness. \ .