MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 12, 9 October 1919, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

SERIOUS ASSAULT CHARGE SEAMAN'S ROUGH HANDLING Details of a particularly serious assault on a seaman were disclosed in tho Magistrate's Court yesterday, when a seaman belonging to the liner Hororata named Samuel Agass was- charged before Mr. W. G. Eiddell, S.M., with having assauited John Shine, so as to cause him actual bodily harm. Sub-Inspector Emerson prosecuted, and Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared for tho defendant, i Dr. C. Henry said that he attended Shine at tho wharf on September '22, and found him suffering from a fracture of tho. left arm, and severe swelling and bruising of the face and lips. His condition was consistent with his story that he had been kicked. Tho complainant said that h< , was a fireman on the steamer Hororata, ami at i o'clock on the afternoon of Sepri-inlier 22 ho went ashore to the Pier Hot(l\ where eome troubU: took place between himsolf and e, man named White, from' tho samo ship. There were others implicated in the fight which foltowcd. He loft the hotel shortly after 5 p.m., and proceeded to 'hfsiship. After entering his quarters serenil other members of tho crow, including the accused, came in. Agass struck witness, and as he attempted to defend himself he was attacked by all hands. His left; arm was broken by n kick. After tho evidence of James Itigby, barman at tho Pier Hotel, and WharfConstable Anderson had been taken, Mr. Jackson said he desired to call witnesses, but as tho steamer was on the coast he would have to request an adjournment. This was agreed to, and the accused ivas remanded ti'.l October 15, bail being allowed in the sum of .£75, and one surety of dC7S. THEFT OP BRANDT. A plea of guilty was entered fay Alfred Albert John Thompson when charged with tho theft of five bottles of brandy, valuqd at £3 10s., the property of the Union Steam Ship Company. The ac-cused-was a Renmiin on the steamer Kakapo, and whilst on duty in tho hold of; tho vessel! on Tuesday night he took the brandy. Ho had been drinking prior to going on duty, and he committed the theft whilst under the influence. Mr. IT. F. O'Lwiy, who appeared for the accused, said that his client had had ii distinguished war career in the Navy, and had never bean previously before tho Court. . ' • His Worship imposed a fine of i! 5, in default fourteen days' imprisonment. VAGRANCY. A sentence of six months' imprisonment with hard labour was imposed- on Charles M'Geahan, tvho was arraigned on a charge of being nn incorrigible roguo with insufficient means of support. Evi.dence was given to the effect that the defendant had not done any work for somo time, and was sponging on eoldiers. Kor drunkenneiis, the defendant was convicted and discharged.

THEFT OIF BUTTER. Theft of oight pounds of butter, valued at ISs. id., the property of eonie person unknown, was tne nature of tins charge preferred against Jonnstone Mao Donald. Constable Isbistor stated that on Tuesday he saw the accused leaving the railway, wharf carrying a parcel.. Being suspicious, witness asked accused what ho wag carrying, and ho replied, "Just tt pieco of butter." An examination of the parcel revcailed eight pounds of butter, and the ecoused then so-id that a man had sold it to him on tho wharf for ss. The accused gave evidence on his own bejialf, repeating the etory ho told tho constable. He was a fireman by occupation. His Worship did not believe the accused's story, and imposed a fino of £5, in defanl'.t 14 days' imprisonment. OTHEE OASES, Margaret Ethol lievy wag further remanded till .Octobnr 15 on charges of ■murder and concealment of birth. On charges of theft of a quantity of electric cable valued at 19s.', the property of John O'Brien, ajid of wilfully damaging an electric cable to the extent of 305., also tho property of O'Brien, Charles John Gren was remanded till October 10. Donidld Maurice Vivian Albert M'Queen was remanded till Holiday, on a charge of failing to provide his wife with ado(juato maintenance. Bail was allowed in the sum of ,£SO, and one surety of £3U. For using obscene language, William Trickctt was fined £3, and for drunkenness was convicted and discharged. . Offenders for insobriety wero denUt with an follow:—Frederick Barton fined 205., Thomas (Mntthuw Heffey fined 10s., and two first offenders lined 10s. each. At tho Mount Cook Police Station yes-, terday, before Mr. W. H. Coy, J.P., Thomas Mylott, charged with insobriety, was fined 20s. in default three days' iniprteqnment. A firrt offender who failed to appear was fined 10s. in default 24 hours' imprisonment, and another first offender was convicted and discharged.