MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 54, 27 November 1919, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

MAN SENT TO GAOL FOR THEFT

TWO WATERSIDERS FINED

Richard Edmond Walsh, who was represented by Mr. W. G. Mellish, pleaded guilty to a charge of (heft of two overcoats, a handbag, a clothes brush, and two military hair brushes, valued at ,£lO 19s. Gd., the. property of Alexander Hobbs. '

Sub-Inspector Emerson stated that the accused was slaying at the. Foresters' Arms Hotel, where ho committed the theft. On August U accused wae ask'id for a settlement of his account, but was unable to pay. He then went out and returned again in tho evening and paid his board. On the following dnv it. was found that the goods mentioned in the information, which were the property of the licensee's son, who was in hospital, wero missing. The only article recovered was an overcoat which Walsh had sold for 15s. Accuwed was a widower with one child S months old. and apparently drink'had been the cause of the trouble. Counsel for defendant asked that leniency bo extended to the accused, who was a first offender. His Worshin (Mr. E. Page, S.M.) sentenced accused to 21 days' imprisonment wnhout tho option of a fine. PILFERING SHIP'S. CARGO. "Although checked for a while it jijpears to be becoming common again?' said Sub-Inspector Emerson in answer to Mr. E. Page, S.M,,- who inquired if pilfering was at all general on the waterfront, when two waterside workers named Charles Anderson and Edward Richter were arraigned on charges of receiving portions of a cheese well knowing the same to have been dishonestly obtained. In Anderson's case the portion was valued at 55., but Richter was charged with receiving a cheese valued at ia. The cheese was the property of tho African Steam Ship Company. Mr. J. H. Scott appeared for Anderson, and Mr. W. G. Mellish for Richter.

Sub-Inspector Emerson stated that on the night of- November 24. at about twenty minutes to ten, Constable Graham noticed Andeiwn leaving tho wharf in the vicinity of Waterloo Quay, carryin? a" parcel. Anderson admitted that it contained a piece of cheese given to him By another man. He then slated that he had been working in the hold of the steamer Westmoreland loading cheese, and he eaw three men break open a crate of cheese and divide un a cheese into small portions. He was offered one and took it. ■ Hichter was working on the' same vessel nnd he took the cheese he received to his boardinghouse, where it was found on the table displayed for consumption. When charged with the offence Eichter refused to make any statement. The police had been unable to find out the other persons concerned. Nothing previously was known against Andersen, but Richtei had been convicted five years ago for ufinsr obscene language. Both counsel a.sked for leniency and submitted that the ease would be met bv the imposition of a fine.

- -His Worship remarked that charges of pilfering on the wharves were looked upon as serious, nnd if they did not cease he would have to consider the question of imposing terms of imprisonment. In tho present eases the value of the. goods was rot great, nnd each accused would be'fined .£ls. Tlia men were allowed fifteen weeks in which to nay the fines. A YOUTH'S CRIME. A youth named Jack Powell Dean was committed tor .sentence, by Mr. P. L. Hollings. S.M., on a charge of breaking and entering the warehouse of Ellis and Manton at the corner of Lombard and Old Customhouse Streets, by night, with intent to commit a crime. Evidence Sins culled to 'flic effect that on tho night of November IS a nightwatchman saw a light in complainants' 'premises, and alarmed the police, and the place was surrounded. The manager was communicated with and a search revealed the accused .hiding behind some barrels on fhe third floor. When caught he said-.. "1 am ghul you taught mo before I went, any further." Tho accused had gained entrance by climbimr up a fire escape, breaking a window and shifting the latch. The accused was not represented bv counsel, but Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell. who' was in Court, advised him, and he pleaded guilty, and was committed for trial. OTHER CASES. ■A youth named Ernest Arthur Sinclair was remanded till December 3 on a charge of breaking and entering tho warehouse of the Wellington Tinware Company, and committing the ; it. A plea of guilty wus tendered bv Charles Henry Mundy, when 1 charged with being an idle and disorderly nereon, in that lie begged alnls in Ciibsi Street. The police evidence was to the effect that the accused was seen bsgjing alms in Cuba Street and Vivian Street, and had been previously warned. The accused stated that h? was an engineer by occupation, but had not bee?i able to get work. His AVorship decided to enter a -conviction and order accused to come up for sentence when called upon within Vi months. Accused was advised to get work right, away.

One first offender for drunkenness was fined ss.