MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 295, 7 September 1920, Page 6

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

POLICE AND MAINTENANCE OASES.

A young man named Claudo William FowledTp'earcd ta the t^ u ' t yesterday morning before Mr. J. S. l-Tdns, S.M., charged with having, at NcUymonth, on August 23, stolen '£7 10s. in money, the property, of GeorgeH. Woodham. On the. application of Chief Detective Ward, the accused was remanded to appear at New Plymouth on Friday. Andrew B. B. Somerville, for whom Mr. W. l'crrv appeared, was charged that on August 24, he committed the theft of 355., the property of Sing Lee; also with assaulting Sing Lee, The facts as brought out in the evidence of the China, man were that Somervillo went to Sing Lee's laundry in Molcsworth Street, about 6.30 p.m., when the complainant and a countryman were having the evening meal. The accused asked for some rice, which was given him. He then asked for a loan of 10s., which was refused him. and he then seized a bottle and threatened to Btriko Sing Lee. The latter went out to find a policeman, and on his return ho. was told by the other Chinaman that the accused had opened the till and M taken some money, ,'os., from the tin. The accused returned to the laundry about 11 p.m., forced his way into the shop, and threatened to strike Sing Leo if ho-made a noise. The accused then it a candle and asked Sing Lee if Phyllis Banks, whom Somerville lmd married a few days previously, was in the house The accused theil »carcheu the house for the girl. The accused was arrested on Saturday, August 28, !)y. Defectives. Carney and "Black. Accused denied taking the money and assaulting the Chinaman. Ho stated lie went to the house on two occasions on the day In question to search for his wife, whom he suspected ww, in the house. The accused admitted previous convictions for assault. The Magistrate said that the case for the prosecution was weak. If there was an assault it was a technical assault, and one could hardly expect a bridegroom of three days looking for his bride in the Chinese quarter to bo in nn amiable frame of mind. With respect to the theft there was the statement of the younger Chinaman only. Considering nil 'the facts, His Worship thought the accused was entitled to the benefit, of th» doubt, and dismissed the Information.

Jolin de Laccy Crowley was fined 10s for drunkenness, and 20s. for committing a breach of his prohibition order. James S. Mjisterson was fined 10s. for drunkenne.-s, and 40s. for committing a, grossly indecent act in Willis Street on Sunday evening.

MAINTENANCE CASES. Vcrcival Brccn, who was in arrears with a maintenance order to the amount of £la 2s. 6d.. pleaded that he was unahlo to i>as anything in reduction of these arrears. which were in'respect of four children In Die Nelson Industrial School. He said h* wanted sonic of the children at homo, lml the Magistrate said he could see nnthins to support that proposal if the defendant and liis wifo couM do no more than maintain ' themselves at present. Bvcoi. was formally convicted, and the ease wa« adjourned for three months, and the defendant was advised to make sonic effort during that period to pay oil some of the arrears. Charles Gurote, who had failed to provide his wife with malMeti-iie«., and whose arrears amounted to .£l5O, was convicted and sentenced to three months' imprisonment w.ih hard lahour, to be released on his paying n mini ot £'<!!>. TTonmin W. Lovcridgc was ordered to pay 12 per week towards the maintenance of Ins wife and two children.