MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 160, 2 April 1921, Page 5

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

PETTY THEFTS NEW ARRIVAL’S INGRATITUDE There wee a fairly long list of cases Mt down for hearing in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday before Mr. 11. W. Bundle, S.M. John O’Keefe was arrested in Lambton Quay on Thursday for using obscene language, also threatening behaviour. He had taken ■’off his coat, and was wanting a light with’ anyone. For the obscene language he was sent to prison for a month, and on the second charge he was convicted and discharged. •

A youth, named Percy Robert Bibby, pleaded guilty to stealing a diamond and ruby ring and a clock, value £9 135., the property of Mr. Posewalker, also to stealing an electric torch;- value 155., the property of Norman Mathews. Chief-De-tective Ward stated that Bibby arrived in New Zealand in January by the s.s Pakeha. While on the voyage he made the acquaintance of a passenger, who befriended him, and introduced him to his friends. Bibby showed his gratitude by stealing the goods mentioned, all of which had been recovered. Mir. A. B. Sievwright, who appeared for Bibby, made a strong plea for leniency, and suggested a term of probation. The Magistrate acceded to the request, and placed Bibby on probation for two years. A remand to April 8 was granted in the case of Gagleano Bitossi, who was charged with stealing a cheque for £7 6s. on the Bank of New Zealand. THEFTS FROM BALLINGER BROS. James Edward Goodyear was charged with stealing a quantity of scrap metal, value £4, and a fire-pot, value .£4 155.: he was also charged with the theft.of a. tin of benzine. Francis P. Sandbrook was charged with Goodyear with the theft of the benzine, the property of Ballinger Bros. Mr. W. Leicester , appeared for Goodyear, and Mr. G. W. Mellish for Sandbrook. Goodyear, it was stated, was the head storeman for Ballinger Bros., and Sandbrook was the driver of a motor lorry belonging to the same firm.

Owing to shortages discovered by the firm recently, tho matter wns placed in the hands of Defective Holmes, 'whose inquiries led to the men being charged with the thefts. On behalf of Sandbrook. Mr. Mellish stated that Goodyear was tho man in authority, and he asked Sandbrook to le.t him have a tin of ben-

zine over the Easter holidays, saying he would return a tin afterwards. Sandbrook said he had no authority to do so, hut did let him have the benzine. Goodyear was the owner of a motor-cycle. Sandbrook stated that there was some defect, in the carburetter of the motor lorry, and the. consumption of benzine was in consequence excessive, which accounted for the disappearance of the benzine. Goodyear pleaded guilty to lhe charges of theft of scrap metal and the fire-pot, and not. guilty on the charge of stealing the tin of benzine. Sandbrook also pleaded not guilty to the same charge. Herbert. Hamilton Grooby. a plumber, was charged with stealing a fire-pot, value £4 155.. the property of Ballinger Bro*., and there was an alternative charge of

receiving the fire-pot knowing the same to have been dishonestly obtained. Mr. A. B. Sievwright appeared for Grooby. Goodyear, the storeman, so it was stated, put the fire-pot in a sack, and just as a member of the firm came in Goodyear placed a sheet of brass in front of it to hide it. Grooby was a customer of the firm, and it was stated on his behalf that the' fire-pot wns given to him by Goodyear, who admitted the theft, of the pot. This latter was made in 1917. and Goodyear did not think it was of any value, as some phrts of it were miss, ing. so gave it to Grooby. Tho case against Grooby was dismissed, the Magistrate holding that the evidence was not strong enough to warrant a conviction. Goodvee.r and Sandbrook were convicted. Sn.ndbrook was fined £5. in default dare’ imprisonment. Goodyear was fined .£lO, in default three months’ imprisonment on the first charge aipl convicted and discharged on the of Iters.

OTHER CASES. John Mulholland was fined -£3 for obstructing a railway servant while in the execution of his duty. He was fined a further -Ms. for behaving in an oflensive manner in a railway carriage. William Collins was charged with stealing eight sheets and two quilts, value .£ll 175., the property of the Uniop 8.8. Company. Mr. A. B. Hiev»right appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty. The linen was found in the Argonne Hotel, previously known as the Egmont Private Hotel. Collins purchased the lease of the Egmont Hotel, and it was alleged for the defence that the linen was found in the- hotel when possession was taken.- The linen was branded "Argonne,” and was sent in the ordinary way to tho Victoria LaundryIt was suggested that tho linen mighthave been left in the hotel by some of the boarders, or perhaps by someone who had been working about the place. The previous lessees sold the furniture and linen to the Dux Auctioneering Company. who removed the goods at night, employing eleven or twelve men. The Magistrate held that the defendant, had not satisfactorily accounted for being in possession of the. linen, although he was in doubt whether the man had stolen the goods. He would, however, enter a conviction. Collins was fined £5 and expenses X 3.

Ernest Lawson Burr wae given a steamer ticket by the Defence Department. entitling him to travel from Wellington to Lyttelton. At tho last momcnt he decided not to travel south, and as a man named James Alexander Rattray was anxious to go south, Burr sold him the ticket for XL and Rattray used it in the other map’s name.. The case was brought before the Court as a warning to others. -The, defendants were fined .£1 each.

For using threatening behaviour in Dixon Street, Arthur James Harris and Robert John Swindler were each fined 10s.

For drunkenness, Mathew Brown was fined 2ft?.. with the option of forty-eight hours’ imprisonment, and Henry Edwards was similarly fined. The’latter was fined n further -10 s. for committing a breach of his prohibition order.