MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 149, 19 March 1921, Page 12

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

FIREMAN SENT TO GAOL. Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., dealt with the police cases in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. For drunkenness, John Madden, with three previous convictions, was fined 305.. in default seven days’ imprisonment. A deserter from s.s. Woodara, John Gibson, was ord’ered to forefeit wages earned while on. board ship. "Had be received his pay, I could have dealt with him differently,” said the Magistrate.

A ship’s fireman, Patrick Leo, was changed with stealing seven packets of cigarettes, the property of the New Zealand and African Steamship Company. Chief-Detective Ward said that the accused ivas a stoker on the Otarama. When the ship arrived n.t Auckland it was found that a great quantity of cigarettes, portion of the cargo, had been stolon. Some of these were found in the accused’s possession and in his quarters. The captain of the Otarama, in evidence, stated that altogether about 800 packets of cigarettes had been stolen. Most of these were recovered in the tunnel, in which the ship’s propeller-shaft was housed. "The stokehold staff had access to the tunnel,” said the captain, "and it is clear that other firemen, besides the accused, had placed stolen cigarettes in it.” The accused denied having stolen the cigarettes, stating that they had been given him by a man whose name he could not remember. “I’m not guilty, sir," he protested vehemently. "Oh, yes, you are,” remarked Mr. Hunt in sentencing him to two months’ imprisonment. On a charge of stealing a lathe, at Picton. Arthur Louis TTahn (Mr. A. B. Sicvwright) was remanded to appear at Blenheim. The Magistrate over-ruled counsel's objection to the remand. SUMMONS CASES. Mr. Hunt also dealt with several cases on summons. For selling cigarettes to a boy under the age of fifteen years, Hing Lee was fined --C1 and costa 9s. George Guy, for obtaining liquor, being under the age of 21 years, was fined .C2 and costs.

For a breach of his prohibition order, George Hood was fined <52 and costs 7s. For procuring a firearm without ft permit. Rupert Clarence Orange, who had bought an automatic pistol for the purpose of pig-shooting,' was convicted and discharged.