MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 147, 17 March 1919, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

MYSTERY ABOUT STOLEN TOBACCO

TWO CASES DISMISSED

Au interesting case was heard before Mr. E. M. Page, S.JL, at the Magistrate's Court 011 riaturduy, when Alk-rt Charles Wonnoeott, a taxi-dnvey, a]ipenred to answer a charge of bcini; 111 possession of uncustomed goods, namely, 3011). of tobacco. Detective-Sergeant Cox conducted the case i'or tho prosecution, and Mr. Kirkcaldie appeared for the defendant. Tho police evidence was to the cflect that 011 I'ebruary 21 Wonnocott dclivcrcil a leather bag containing 301b. of tobacco to the o'fiico of the Grand Hotel. When called upon for an explanation, the defendant said lie had been askcii by a fare to leave the bag at the hotel for a Mr. Moss. The accused repeated thw statement on oathMr. Kirkcaldio stated that the defendant had no case to answer. His client was perfectly innocent, and had simply carried out the instructions of a fare who had engaged his taxi. Counsel called evidence to show that four men entered tho garage and engaged defendant's taxi on the <late in question, "lne .police wore apparently on>a fishing expedition, concluded counsel. Cross-examined in the witness-box, the defendant said that the person who directed him to deliver.tho bag to the hotel was not in the Court- Defendant further stated that 1 he would not know any of tho four men concerned again. Ilis Worship said that he would have to accept the statement of the defendant. The information was dismissed. Tho case of .Tohii Henry Faithful was then called. He appeared on remand to answer a charge of having, on February 21, stolen 301b. of tobacco, vaiued at .£l2, tho 'property of some person or persons unknown. Mr- H. F. O'Leary represented accused. Detective-Sergeant Cox stated that ho would not oft'er any evidence cm this case, and asked that the information be dismissed without prejudice. His Worship thereupon discharged accused.

THEFT OF COAL. Archibald West denied a charge of having on .March 3 stolen three tons of slack valued at S% the property of the Westport .Coal Company. In relating the fasts of the case, De-tective-Sergeant Cox stated that the accused was a carter, ;-.nd was employed by a coal merchant named Andrew. On the date in question accused was engaged in carting coal on behalf of his employer from the steamer Komata at tho Railway Wharf to the Power House and to the Kolburn Cable Car Company. During the afternoon ho failed to have a particular load weighed, and took it in the direcuon of Tliorndon Quay, where he subsequently dumped it at a certain shop. Evidence was called to support the foregoing. West denied the theft, and stated that he had been directed by the tally clerk cm the whnrf to take tho ioal to an address in Thprndon Quay. The tolly clerk denied this. His Worship was satisfied that the accused was guilty, and sentenced him to 0110 month's imprieonment.

SHIP'S ABSENTEE GAOLED. A seaman named Joseph Cairney, admitted having missed Ins steamer, tho C. and D. liner Port Lincoln. His story was that ho had got drunk, and was unable to report back for duty. Mr. A. W. Blair,-who appeared for the local agents of the vessel, pointed out that the absenco of tho defendant had put the owners to considerable expense, as the vessel was held up, and a substitute had to bo procured and engaged at an increased rate of wages. His Worship entered a conviction, and sentenced defendant to one week's imprisonment.

INSOBRIETY One first offender for drunkenness was fined 55., and ordered to pay 17s. 6d. medical services. For a similar ollence Louisa Maitland was fined £\, in default ii hours' imprisonment. JUVENILE , COURT. A short sitting of the Juvenilo Court was held on Saturday, when a small girl was charged with the theft of a sum of £i 45., a sovereign case, ;ind a pair of spectacles from a bathing shed. , The information was dismissed, in view of tho child's age. An order was made for the parents to pa> tht suai of «£l, being tho value of the spectacles, which had not bn»n recovered. Two boys were fined 55., and costs 75., fr riding bicycles at night without lights. A boy, aged thirteen years, was charged with the theft of a copper preserving pan, valued at £'1 10s. (id. It was explained that the child was out a gi eat deal at night, and patronised picture shows. The case was adjurned till tomorrow.