MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 208, 28 May 1921, Page 12

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

A VERY MEAN THEFT

The police business at the Magistrate's Court yesterday was heard by Mr. F, K. Hunt, S.M.

A rather smartly-dressed young man named John Quayle pleaded' guilty to having committed a very mean theft. He became acquainted with Edwin Child, to whom he disclosed the fact that he was ’’hard-up.” Child took him to his own boardinghouse and befriendexl him. On the following day, on returning home after work, Child discovered tiiat a magnifying-glass and other property of his, including some clothing, had disappeared, and so had the accused. Quayle, who had been before the Court previously, was sentenced to two years’ reformative treatment.

Stanley lan. Collins became acquainted with Mark M'Cashin, and the two went about the city for a day or two. Collins obtained possession of two suitcases and contents, of a total value of .£23, belonging to M'Cashin, and made away with them. Some of the goods were sold to second-hand dealers and resold by the latter. Some were recovered. ' Collins was convicted and sentenced to two years’ reformative treatment. and was ordered to make restitution to the extent of £l5. Two youths, Keith Alderson (Mr. J. O’Donovan) and John H. Roche (Mr. E. >P. Bunny), who had pleaded guilty to stealing 32 sheets of corrugated iron and other building material, came up for sentence. The probation officer expressed tTie opinion that it would be worth while to give the lads a chance. Ho suggested that Alderson, who had been before the Court on a previous occasion, should receive a longer term of probation than the other lad, who had borna an excellent character up to the present, Roche was placed on probation for twelve months, and Alderson for two years.

Patrick Sinnott, who was charged with drunkenness, his fourth offence, and also with committing a breach of his prohibition order, was committed to the inebriates’ home at Pakatoa for twelve months.

Erie Edward Rabe and Albert A. Walsh were convicted of stowing away on the Westralia from Melbourne to Wellington. Sub-Inspector Willie stated that the two young men belonged to New Zealand, and some time ago they snipped as firemen on a Japanese steamer. and were paid off in Melbourne, where they became stranded. Dearing to return to New Zealand, they stowed away on the vessel. They were each fined £5.

James Healy had smashed a plate-glass window, valued at £l2, with a piece of wood picked up in Lambton Quay. SnbInspector Willis said that when Healy was arrested he told the constable that he was hungry, and also that he wanted some tobacco. The sub-inspector further stated that Healy had been convicted at Taumarunui for drunkenness and wilful damage. Healy waa fined 20s. and ordered to make good the damage. Thomas F. Evans, a Government messenger, pleaded guilty to stealing a mirror. valued at 17s. 6d., the property of the Nctw Zealand 'Government. The mirror was taken from the ladies’ tearoom in the Advances to Settlers’ Office, in Novemter last, and fcvas recently found in the possession of the defend, ant. Evans was fined 40s. and costs 7s. OTHER CASES. Wilfred Burrow and George Etteridge, drivers of motor lorries, were charged with having failed to stop their vehicles when approaching a railway crossing. They were convicted and fined 20s. each.

For employing a female worker after 9 p.m. George H. Thornton was fined 20s. and costs.