MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 292, 29 August 1918, Page 8

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

A YOUTHFUL STOWAWAi. A youth named James Felix Duffy, aged 18 years, appeared before Mr. jf. V. Frazer, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, on a charge of having stowed away on the steamer Moeraki, at Sydney, on August 23.

Inspector Marsack said the 'lad was found when the vessel was half-way across the Tasman Sea. He said he wanted to go to Suva, to get employment there.

The aocuscd stated that he had followed the sea as an occupation, and had good discharges. His reason for leaving Sydney was that he could not get a job there.

In reply to His Worship, the accused said thero was no trouble which caused him to leave Sydney. Inspector Marsack remarked that Duffy had only Is. 3d. t oil him when arrested.

"Surely ,vou know that to leavo for a strango country witli Is. :id. is rather a foolish proceeding," said Mr. Frner (<> aeoused.

Mr. T. Neave, who was in the courtroom when the case was being heard, throw out the suggestion that Mr. Moore, seamen's missioner, might be communicated with, to seo if lie could do anything for the lad.

His Worship was reluctant to commit accused to prison, but finally, on the proposition of Inspector Marsack, he remanded Duffy until Saturday, in order that certain inquiries might ho made.

OTHER CASES. Roland Jocelyn Bailey was remanded until September 4 on a" charge of having stolen, on August 28, goods to tho valuo of £19 3s. Id., belonging to the New Zealand Government. On a charge of being drunk whilst in charge of a horse and cart, James Diggs'wa.s lined £1, in default seventytwo hours' detention. For insobriety, Edward Greenfield was fined 10s., in default forty-eight hours' imprisonment.