MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 303, 16 September 1920, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

A FIVE-POUND NOTE DISAPPEARS. Mr. J. S. Evans. R.U., dealt, with the police cases in the Magistrate's Court, yesterday nomine. •' Jams W. Simp;in (for whom Mr. H. P O'Lsary appeared) was charged with the theft of a £5 note on August 19, the property of Arthur Harry Piper. The accused -was associated with Norman Gunn, who was chaTcred with a similar offence * about a fortnight aero, and sentenced to o month's imprisonment. The facts of the case were that Piper, who ia a motor salesman, of Gisborne, had an appoint, ment with a friend at the Kotel. When _ Piper cot to the hotel ho found his friend in company with Gunn and Simnson. He went up to them, and nut a £5 note down, intending to "Bhout", for the crowd. Gunn remarked that 7 ho Khould not leave-a note on the counter like ithat, for he might lose it. With that Gunn picked un the note, rolled it into a ball, *nd flicked it, the note disappearing. Piper thought Gunn was having a joke, and was giving an exhibition of conjiiTinir. When asked bv Piper to return the money. Gunn put his hand in h's pocket to recover the money, but found it had disappeared. Just then Simpson, who had been standing alongside of Gunn. v.-as coin? out of the door, and Gunn said that Simpson had the note. The accused, in giving evidence, said he.was with Gunn on the date in auer.tion. He saw Gunn pick up the note and do the conjuring .trick. He had seen Gunn do the same thine on two previous occasions and feeling sure that there would be trouble when the trick waa done for the third time, he left the company, caught a train, and went home. He denied havintr touched the note. The- Magistrate said the case was suspicious, but mere suspicion was not sufficient to convict a man of theft.- The accused was entitled to the benefit of the doubt, and the informaion would, therefore, be dismissed. Sailors' Friend Society. That the provision for the comfort of our seafarers is appreciated was seen at Madame Mueller's concert at the Sailors' Friend Society on Tuesday, when the etlorts of hostess and performers wero received with rounds of applause. The performers were Mesdam'es Mueller and Burt, the Misses Burt, Perry, Esau, \6la Lines, V. Mueller, Messrs. V. James, D, Evans, Kenny, Howard, and Master James Cox. Mrs E. I. Burt was at the P'MO- "Safety First" was the subject ot Mr. Moore's temperance nddress. Pledges followed. Prizes for competition came from the hostess, and went to the Alahana. S For Plunket Funds. T , h S. n . nnlwl Bhlff ' dnDce o f EMcaldio and Stams was held in the tearooms ia«t evening, and was a very successful affair. From time to time various deserving causes have benefited through the social activities of the staff, and on this occasion the funds resulting from the dance aro to be handed over to the 1 Plunket Society, such assistance, needless to say, bring greatly appreciated by the Plunket Committee. Beautiful spring flowers, from the garden of Mr. Kirkcaldie, decorated the room and the supper tables, and there was a gocd attenua"c? of dancors. Cowley's Orchestra supplied the music for the dancing. The committee responsible for the arrangements of the evening comprised] the Misses Tosnian. Lisliman, Miller, Cullen, Chapman. Messrs. Petrie, Newton, Mather and A. Bloxham (hon. secretary). Eepreseiitativos of the Plunket Society were among those who were present.