MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 268, 8 August 1919, Page 5

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

ALLEGED THEFT OF SHIP'S BLANKETS

A STEWARD ARRESTED . A case was heard before [Mr. E. Page, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, in which Joseph George Abbott, a steward on the steamer Armagh, was oharged with theft al Wnnganui of a (jnaiitity ©f blankets, valued at .£2O, the properly of the Government. Whilst t'ho Armagh was lying in the roadstead at Wanganui, Abbott is alleged to have appropriated the blankets. The matter v;ns reported to the police there, and Detective-Sergeant Ho'ilis, of Wangaliui, made inquiries, but in the meantime the steamer sailed for Wellington. The investigations implicated the accused, and Police Headquarters at Wellington wore advised, with the result that when tho vessel arrived here further inquiries were made. Abbott was arrested on the charge on Wednesday night. On the application of Chief-Detective Boddam, Abbott was remanded to appear al Wantfanui 011 August!). STEALS IN OEDER TO MAEKY. As an excuse for stealing a portmanteau and contents, valued at .fil'J 10s., the property of Stanley Gordon Cooper, a young man named John Edward Johnson said that he was about to get married, and was in financial difficulties. He returned from the front two months ago, did fire weeks' work, and decided to get married, but went on a drinking bout. His marriage arrangeinentsi were definitely settled, and at the 'last minute be found himself without funds, so he appropriated the bag.. The accused expressed iiis regret for his foolish action, and as.jced for leniency. The -Magistrate said that he was unable to grant proljation, as accused had been previously before the Court, but ho would 'be convicted a.nd fined .£lO, in default one month's imprisonment. One week was allowed in which to pay the fine.

TRESPASSING ON WIFE'S / PROPERTY. When John Thomson trespassed oil his wife's property during the currency of a separation order, he rendered himself liable to n fine of .£2O, or three months' imprisonment, under the Destitute Persons Act.. Acting Sub-Inspector Emerson explained this when Thomson was charged with the offence. In April' last Thomson's wife was granted a separation order against the accused, nnd since that 'date the accused had molested his wifo on two occasions, and on Wednesday had accosted her and made use of objectionable and insulting kinguago to her. Later ho visited the home of Airs. Thomson in a hnlf-drunken condition, and endeavoured to gain admission, saying he wished to see the child. The police were sent for, and the accused was arrested. The accused said that lie hud not caused any trouble, and had simply gone to the house to sec the child. ■ His Worship entered a oonviotion, nnd ordered accused to come np for sentence when called upon within 12 months, on condition that he remained away from his wife. The Magistrate suggested (o the accused that if he desired to seo the child ho might apply to the Court for the necessary permission. INSOBRIETY. For drunkenness, George SaviHe was lined J!l, and for a breach of his prohibition order was fined .C 3. Convicted and discharged for drunkenness, Thomas Beako was fined £1 for a, breach of his prohibition order. Patrick Cooney was nnod =C 3 for a breach of his prohibition order, a.nd was ordered to pay 17s. Gd. medical expenses. Thomas Mylott, a third offender, was fined 205., and Thomas Balmor and James Wilkinson were each fined 10s. Four first offenders were fined ss. eaoli, and two others were fined 10s. each.

CIVIL BUSINESS TENEMENT CASE. Another case wherein a returned soldier had ondeavoured to regain poeseesion of lii? house was heard, wheai Alfred Dowding asked tho Court to make an order, against Blanch M. Eraser for the possession of a tenement in Daniel Street. The plaintiff also claimed .£l3 10s. mesne profits. Plaintiff stated that he had repeatedly asked defendant for possession of the house, and defendant said she was uiiablo to obtain another. Ho was compelled to live in lodgings. Tho defendant faid she had mado every endeavour to obtain another house, but without result. His Worship (Mr. WJ G. Riddell, S.M.) held that even though the oircuni3fances were hard, ho wioukl have to grant the order. Defendant must givo up possession by August 28, and pay £13 10s. and .£1 6s. costs. Mr. R. Kennedy appeared for the plaintiff, and Mi'. J. Scott for the defendant. Holland Andrews was ordered to give up possession of a tenement to Edward Perkins by August 29. Plaintiff was allowed .£1 lis. costs. JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT. Mr. W. G; Riddell, S.M., gave judgment for plaintiff by default in "the foilowihg undefended cases:—Yeitch and Allan v. S. M'Cleeland, i!G 195.. costs £15s. 6d.; Commercial Agency, Ltd., and Bing, Hflrri?, and Co: v. Mrs. K. Maundter, ,£l2 19s. 3d., costs J2l 10s. Gd.; C. and A. Odliri Tim'ber and Hardware Co., Ltd., v. John Drake, J!SG 13s. 9d., costs .£3 18s. ; Findlay, Dalziel, and Howard v. Alexander Ross 'Beatty, ,£49- lis. 2d., costs =£3 7s. 9d.; A. Robertson v. G. Taylor, ,£6O Ss ''7d., costs ,£4; Veitch and AMan v, E. tywrett, .£1 lis. 6d„ costs 55.; same v. C. J. Fries, £i 145., costs 10s.; Thomas White Young, Arthur Young, Campbell Young, and Alexander Young v. Myra Campbell, claim ,£4O Bs. lkl. v iudginent for is. 6d., .£4O having been paid into court.