MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1924, Page 1

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

THURSDAY, FEB. 21st (Before AV. Meldrum, Esq., S.M.) THEFT CHARGE. The police charged a young man aged 17 years (whose name the Magistrate ordered to lie suppressed), with theft, of two 10s notes from the shop ol Peter Stephens on Feb. lGlh. Mr Murdoch appeared for the defendant and admitted the charge. He said be was going to make an unusual application, and that was that the charge he dealt with in six months time. There was nothing else against the hov and his father and mother v.ere estimable citizens. He thought the. ends of justice would be met if the Court granted his request to allow the matter to stand over for six months and then tho Court could deal with it. Sergt. King, after reviewing the circumstances said it was difficult to understand what had led the lad to go into the shop, put bis hand over the counter, open the till and take out the 10s notes. There was a. fair amount of other money wbit-li he left in the till. He came out and went straight away to bis bedroom. AVlien searched for he was found in bis room reading a book, and the missing notes were in the book. Mr Murdoch had made a special plea. He (Sergt. King) did not want to be vindictive. He suggested that the charge be set down for a term if the Bench so thought fit. His AA’instliip agreed to the suggestion of feints!*! anil ordered deleudant to come up for seiiteii.ee in six mouths, on. condition that be reported to the probation otliccr on the 21st. of each month. AVAN DERI NO CATTLE. Borough Inspector -J. l ox (Mr Park) v. F. Preston, a charge of allowing one cow to wander. Fined -lOs and costs.

Same v. T. Siopforth, 1. cow. Fined •10s and costs.

Conservator of Forests (Mr Kitcliiughnm v. Charles Black (Air Murdoch) a charge of unlawfully felling forest produce (silver pine) oil a provisional State forest reserve. near Duffer’s Creek.

Mr Murdoch for defendant pleaded guilty, and stated that be had gone into a worked out bush and had cut 319 feet of timber for the purpose of erecting a hut. Defendant had no knowledge the land was part of a State Forest Reserve.

Mi- Kitchinghnm stated that this was the first charge of its kind. The Department’s stated that about BlOOl’t. had been cut. Convicted and fined £3 with costs £-1 11s. LICENSING ACT.

Three men who did not appear wore charged with being on licensed promises (Central Hotel) during prohibited hours and were convicted. One was fined 40s and costs 7s, one 20s and costs 7s. and the third ordered to pay costs 14s. MAINTENANCE ORDER. Malcolm Bethuno was charged with failure to pay a maintenance order, arrears amounting to £3l 11s Bd. . Mi Murdoch appeared for the plaintiff. Order made for payment of amount within one month, in default- one month imprisonment. DEBT CASES.

Margarea Turner (Air Elcock) v. Tt Williams claim 14s Gd. Judgment Co; plaintiff with costs 16s.