MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 64, 9 December 1919, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

POLICE CASES

At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. E. Page, S.M., charges of drunkenness and theft of au overcoat, valued at £5, tho property of Harold t'i Pa r sona « D ' were preferred against John Stewart. Tim accused was seen on Sunday by Sergeant M'Holme staggering alojig ljuekle Street with an ovorcoat over his aim. Ho was promptly nrrested for drunkenness and could not giro any explanation regarding the coat. On arrival at the police station tho ownei or the coat turned up, and it was then ascertained that, the accused had stolen the coat from the porch of Iho Catholic Church in Buckle Street. On the charge of theft he was fined MO, in default 14 days' imprisonment, and for drunkenness was fined lfls.

A young man named Hay, who pleaded guilty to charges of theft, was remanded for sentence. It appeared that the offences were committed while under thn influence of drink.

A sentence of two months' imprhsonmeiit was imposed on Minnie Brown, who denied a charge of being a rogue and a vagabond in that she had insufficient lawful means of support and was found % night without lawful excuse on private premises in Vivian Street. Evidence was given by tho police that the woman was continually wandering round tho citv with men of ill-repute and had not dono any work. Thomas Lawry and John Wynn were each fined 4:5 for broaches of their prohibition orders, and on charges of drunkenness were each fined 103. Patrick Boran was fined .fil for a breach of his order, and for drunkenness was fined as. Two first offending inebriates were fined 10s. each.

MAINTENANCE CASES.

William Yaiiett was made the subject of separation, maintenance and guardianship orders on tho application of his wifo, and defendant 'was ordered to pay 40s. per week towards the support of his family.

Arthur. Oldham was ordered to pay 10s. per week towards the support of a child in. an industrial school.

Thomas Francis Bustin, whose arrears in respect of a maintenance order amounted to .£54 13s. od., was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, warrant to be suspended so long as ss. per week fe paid off the arrears and the current payments of 30s. per week are maintained.

The application of Catherine Bloomfield for a summary separation against Edward Bloomfield was granted, and the applicant was given custody of tho children.

JUVENILE COURT. 'A short sitting of the Juvenile Court was held yesterday, Mr. E. Page, S.M., presiding. Two youths, one 18 years and the other 15 years of age, were arraigned on a scries, of charges of breaking, entering and theft. The police evidence was to tho effect that on September 28 and October 19, both Sundays, the accused broke into the premises of tho Kin Ora Galvanising Company in Egniont. Street. The articles stolen included tools, a pair of boots, a watch, n. lens, a rubber stamp and a cornet. The total value of the articles wag ,£ll is. fid., but many had sinco b<sn recovered at second-hand shops; where they had been disposed of under assumed names. Articles to the value of £1 10s. Tver'.- stilt unaccounted for.

On September 1C last the accused were before the Court on charges of having broken and entered the premises of E. W. Mills and Company. Mr. J. P. Mills, probation officer, and !j Mr. J. Dimieen, juvenile probation officer, both suggested that the terms of two years' probation be imposed on them for tho offences dealt with on September 16, l>9 extended to three years, ns there were exceptional circumstances in the home life of the boys.

His Worship agreed, but warned the boys that should they come before tho Court again they would be sent to gaol. He ordered them to make good the goods not-recovered, and also'to reimburse the second-hand dealers. Mr. W. Perry appeared for the yotmner Ixiy.