MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1929, Page 2

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

THEFT CHARGE.

GREYMOUTH,, Sept. 17

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday before Mr W. Meldrum, S.M., a young man, Charles Edwards was charged with the theft, at Greymouth on July 21st. of £6, the property of Alice Mangos. Mr H. F. Doogan appeared for Edwards, and pleaded guilty. Senior-Sergeant C. E. Roach stated that the accused had been before the Court twice previously, and had been remanded, pleading not guilty. Now lie turned round and pleaded guilty. The police had been piit to, the expense of bringing a witness frpm Lyell, at a cost of £3 Os 5d.. Abcused had two previous convictions. He had been placed on probation for two years for theft, and had' given the Probation Omcer “no end of : trouble, all through the piece.” On several occasions, the Probation Officer had had to communi-cate.-with the police,'in order to locate accused. /

The Magistrate, in giving his de- ' cision stated he would take into consideration what counsel had said for the defendant, and would give accused another chance. He would be convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within twelve months. Understand, this will be your last chance.

Edwards was also ordered to refund the £6 to Mis Mangos, to pay £3 Os 5d expenses, and to take out a prohibition order against himself. He was allowed three months in which to make payment.

MAINTENANCE ORDER

When Alexander Strath Ingram, blacksmith, again appeared at the Court charged with leaving New Zealand without the written permission of a Magistrate, when maintenance orders in force against him, Mr W. J. Joyce, for defendant stated that since the previous sitting, Ingram had secured employment for at least twelve months. The. arrears on maintenance order.had been paid, and he suggested that the case be adjourned for three months, and defendant be ordered to pay off the arrears of £lB upon the other order at the rate of £1 per week. If he jdid not comply with the orders he could be dealt with at the end of three months! ySeniorrSergeant C. E. Roach said that it was a question u’hether defendant would not clear out again. He should .be . required to enter into some bond.; 3VJr Joyce said that bail could be foun^i.f or Ingram’s appearance in three ; plinths. Mr W. Meldrum adjourned the case for, three months, fixing bail at self £23 and one surety of £25, the arrears of maintenance ito be paid off at the rate of £1 per week.

ASSAULT CHARGE,

Pleading guilty to a charge ef assaulting a- , schoolgirl at Dunollie on September 2nd. a man who appeared in the Juvenile Court was convicted and fined £5, being allowed one'week for payxfient. He was also drdered to take out a prohibition order Against himself. Accused was reprinted by Mr W. P. McCarthy, who described his client as a harmless, good-natured sort, who was always willingto help others in their troubles; but-'who was addicted to drink. Constable Houston, of Dunollie, said that accused was all right when he was sober.