MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 30, 30 October 1919, Page 8

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

MARRIED UNDER AGE

CONTRACTING PARTIES ARRAIGNED Charges of making false statements in connection with a, marriage, certificate wore preferred against .Tames M'Lnughlin and his youthful bride, nee Elizabeth Ash, before II r. AV. G. Riddcll, S.M., at tho .Magistrate's Court yesterday. . .

I'lio circumstances of the ease were that the couple desired to Ret married and in order to accomplish this M'Laughlin staled that his bride, was Sarah Ash, an older sister of the female defendant, and when the- bride signed the book she, also appended the. name of her elder sister and gave her age .as 21 years, whereas she was just over 17. On being arrested by Plain-Clothes Constable Holmes the malo defendant admitted Hie charge, and said that even.. though tho marriage was annulled, he would marry the girl when she became, of age. The female, defendant also admitted the char«.\ and , stated that both her mother and father were: against the marriage, but slin was determined to got married and consequently took the step which, formed tho basis of tho charge. Botli pleaded guilty and were committed to the Supremo Court for sentence. Bail was allowed the female defendant in her own recognisance of ,£25.

BAG-SN/VTCHING EPISODE. . An exciting bag-snatching episode which took. place, in tho plantation at tho top of l'irio Street last week was responsible for the appearance of Thomas Ridout. who admitted a charge of theft of a handbag, valued at 305., and a sum of «C 27 Is., the property of Mrs. Emily Stevens. Together with a lady friend the comploinant was sitting in the plantation when tho accused was noticed approaching them. When finite near Ridout stumbkvl.and at the same time switched Mrs. Stevens's bag and bolted. Ridout was arrested later on by Constable Walters, of tho Mount Cook Police Station, and as he was being taken to the lockup he bolted' and threw .away the notes. The notes wore. Isecural and handed to the police, and it was not long before tho accused was safely lodged in the cells. Ridout pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. ALLEGED THEFT OP MOTORCYCLE. A plea of not guilty was tendered by a Maori youth named Tipi Rimene when charged with the theft of a motor-cycle valued at ,£SO, the property l of Frank Johnson.

Tho owner of the machine stated that on September 29 he left it at AA'ainui-o-mata, and on returning for it a couple of days later found that it had gone. After the evidence of several witiikkcs had been heard, tho accused, who was represented by Mr. G. AV. Mellish, pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supremo Court for trial.

OTHER CASES. Bernard Mansey and Frederick 8. C. Donnellnn, two recent arrivals from America, were each eent to gaol for 21 days on a, clmrgo of theft of a bicyclo, valued at £9, the property of John M'Lean. Louis Don? was fined 20s. for being drunk whilst in charge of a motor-car. Ada Hodsee waa fined 203'. for drunkenness, and three first offender,? were each fined 10s.