MAGISTERIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2049, 28 November 1907, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

AVEDNES'DAY, N.OVEMIBER 27. (Before Mr AV. A. Barton, S.<M.) Attempted Suicide.—An elderly mail named James Copeland was charged with having attempted to commit suicide on Tuesday night. Accused pleaded guilty, and (his Worship intimated liis desire to hear the evidence.—Constable Scott deposed that lie was on duty at the wharf on Tuesday evening. About 7.30 p.mi. it was reported to him that a mail had threatened to drown himsellf. AVitness then saw accused near No. 2 slied, where ho stood and after divesting himself of coat and hat, caught hold of tho top of the wharf and slid over. AVitness, with the assistance of a by-st-ander, caught accused and pulled him back again on to the wharf. In answer to a question as ±o what lie was doing, accused replied that lie thought ho could slido down better so that lie would not strike the ropes.—diaries Ferguson, proprietor of tho Gladstone hoarding-lliouse, stated that •accused was a seaman, and had been lodging at his house. Accused had been mate on the Frank Guy, but had left her on her last visit heie. Since then he had not been able to obtain, work, and had been drinking during the last (week, though not heavily. AVitness had noticed nothing strange about the accused, but last evening had received a letter from him (produced) in which he stated that as lie was unsuccessful in obtaining work, and was tired of life, ho was going i end it. AVitness then informed the •police.—Sergeant Williams stated •that after accused was locked up, hi was quiet for a while, but afterwards made a determined effort to hang himself by means of his shir, which lie had taken off. Only the* prompt action of a constable prevented consequences ol a serious nature.—Accused, in the course of a statement, said that ho had received a sunstroke some years ago in India which might have affected him during the last few days. (He asked for leniency on tho grounds tlra.t he was 55 years old and had never seen tho inside of a gaol.—Accused was remanded for sentence until Monday December 2nd.

Alleged Theft.—John Lynch was charged with the theft oii November 14ith of IQs, the property of Air AV. E. Goffe. Accused did not appear and was represented by Air A. Trevor Coleman. On the application of Air Coleman the case was adjourned, until December 2Qth. Prohibition Order.—A renewal of a prohibition, order, which, expired last Alonday was granted.