MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2016, 27 February 1907, Page 2

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

THEFT FROM A TENT. (Before Mr Barton, S.M.) A theft case, arising out of a summer camp on the Ivaiti beach, came before Mr. Barton, S.M., yesterday morning. Wm. James Wliitford was charged with breaking and entering the dwelling of Fredk. Williams, ai Ivaiti, on January 10, and stealing articles of clothing, etc., valued at £3. Frederick Williams said lie saw accused oil the 7th of January last, and, after stating that lie intended camping, he offered to let accused join him. He stayed for a week. Witness left the tent,. securely fastened, on Friday morning, 18th, and when lie returned the tent was open, and found that two blankets, one rug, one shirt, one coat, one razor, and two pairs of socks were missing. He saw accused half an hour later the same day, but did not speak to him, as ho was across the l-oad. On the Sunday he found the blankets among sonic lushes and the loss was reported to the police. By accused: lie did not notice accused bring a rug or a blanket to the tent.

jack Walters, a youth, said he was camped with some boys on the Kaiti Beach, within ten yards of Williams’ tent. Oji Friday, 18th January, he saw accused just outside of Williams’ tent carrying a big swag towards town. At this stage the charge was reduced to simple theft, as accused was free to come in and go out of the tent. To tho amended charge the accused pleaded not guiltv. John Joseph Dover, engineer, of Nuhaka, said ho saw accused on the Kaiti Bridge on the .Saturday and twice during tho latter part of the day. Accused asked witness to go to Wairoa, but ho declined, as he was too well known there. Accused offered him a swag ns an inducement to go. Witness, looking at it, said, “You have tho little man’s (Williams’) swag. Accused did not reply. Tho Magistrate said tho accused was guilty of tho offenco charged. The theft was a mean one, after accepting Williams’ hospitality. lie had no doubt that the swag which Walters saw accused take away contained the articles in question. Ho would be imprisoned for tlireo months in Napier gaol with hard labor.

EDISON’S BIG AMERICAN PICa JURE SHOW.

. In noticing those pictures the Napier Telegraph says : —Although animated picture shows have followed rather quickly on each other’s heels in Napier of late, the public appetite for entertainments of this class is not yet satiated, a fact conclusively proved by tho large audience that assembled in the Theatre Royal last night. The house was well filled, and as further evidence of the still prevail ing taste for kinematogrnpliic entertainments, illusions and dramatic effects, those who were present applauded every film most heartily and in some instances became absolutely enthusiastic. Nor were these demonstrations of approval in any wav undeserved. Edison’s popular pictuies have already gained a high reputation throughout the colony, and the excellent programme presented last evening was one of the best in the management’s extensive repertoire. The pictures were admirably clear and wonderfully steady, while the subjects chosen were so numerous and varied as to sustain the interest of all beholders from start to finish.