MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 12, 9 October 1918, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THEFT BY A FIREMAN

SUGAR FROM SHIP'S STORES

A' ship's fireman named •'Alexander | Colville pleaded guilty at the Magistrate's Court, before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., yesterday to stealing, on September 27, at Wellington, a quantity of ship's stores, valueu at 4s. id., the property of the Union Steam Ship Company. In outlining the facts, Act-ing-Inspector Emerson stated that about 9.50 p.m. on the date in question Constable Cleverley saw a man standing outside the main gates of the Queon's Wharf, As the man stooped down to tie his bootlace Constable Cleverley noticed through the split at the back of the man's overcoat what appeared to be a bolster cover, similar to those used by the Union Steam Ship Company. Hβ asked the man what he had under his coat, and the man replied, "Just a little sucar." He added that the sugar had been given to him by a mate of his on the steamer Karanni. There was about 6lb. of sugar in the holster cover, which the man had secured to his waist by putting it under his belt. The man was taken to the wharf police station, where he handed over a tin of mullet. As a result of the man's statements accused Colville, a fireman on the Karamu, was interviewed, and he admitted having given the goods to the man. On being charged with the theft of the goods Colville^ replied, "All right, I'm not denying" it." Colville was fined £5, with the alternative of a month's imprisonment. For driving a vehicle at more toan a walking pace round the corner of Tory Street and Courtenay Place Percy Simmonds was fined 10s., with 7s. costs.

On' informations of allowing horses to wander, William AVebb was fined 55., with costs 75., and Snmuel Stevens was ordered to pay 7s. costs. .

CIVIL ACTIONS

STRUCK BY MOTOR-OAR,

Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M.,_ yesterday afternoon heard a case in which a claim for £100 damages was made by Zelma Huno, a teacher at Banks College, againsb Frederick Walter Boyd, builder, of Wellington. Mr. T. Neave appeared for the plaintiff, defendant being represented by Mr. A. W. Blair.

Plaintiff set out that on May 29 last she was alighting from a tramcar in Constable Street when the defendant Boyd, passing in a motor-car, ran into her and knocked her down. She was laid Tip for ten weeks, and had.been put to considerable expense A for medical attention, in addition to which she had suffered a loss of wages and hor clothing had also been severely damaged. Sho alleged that the accident was due to negligence on the part of Boyd in not taking sufficient care to avoid ' a collision. . Defendant resisted the claim on the ground that he took all proper care and was driving at a moderate pace. He contended that the plaintiff herself contributed to tho accident by crossing in front of the tramoar. After hearing evidence His Worship intimated that he would view the scene of the. mishap bofore giving his decision.

UNDEFENDED CASES. Judgment by default was given by Mr. W. G. Riddell. S.M., in the following undefended civil cases: H. G. Wake v. Mrs. Blanche Gould, £5 2s. 6d., costs £1 ss. 6d.; Bristol Piano Co. v. James Turner, £15 Bs., costs £1 ■ Us. 6d.; Tanner Bros., Ltd., v. Miss A. C. Frank, £22 18s. 8(1., costs £2 145.; William L. Eothenberg v. Takurangi Tukino, £5 14s. 6d., costs £1 12s. 6d.; Munt, Cottrell and 00. v. J. W. Mackay, £1 55., costs 55.; Doyle Bros. v. Loach Bros., £2 Is. Bd., costs 55.; E. Reynolds and Co. v. J. B. Moir, £27 9s. 3d'., costs £1 35.; Hallensbein Bros, v. W. H. Palmer, £4 65,, costs 10s.; Nattrass and Harris Motor Co. v. tho Rink Garage, £2 10s., costs 10s.; Inglis Bros, and Co. v. C. Scott, £10 Cs. 5d., costs 155.; Florence Spnggins v. L. A. Austin, £11 55., costs £110s. 6d.; Hope Gibbons, Sons, and J. B. Clarkson, Ltd., v. George Morris, £48 os. Gd., costs £1 35.; Reginald Collins, Ltd., v. C. A. Zurcher, £6 3s. 6d., costs £1 10s. 6d.; same v. J. W. Uncles, £8 165., costs* £1 4s. 6d.

JUDGMENT SUMMONS. On judgment summonses, J. W. M'Kay was ordered to pay Smith and Smith, M.. £14 4s. 2d. by. October 29, in default 14 days' imprisonment, and William Neville Ward was ordered to pay Frederick Jones £32 13s. by instalments (if 30s. per month.