MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1930, Page 6

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28th

(Before Messrs W. Jeffries and W Wite&n, Justices.)

FOUND DRUNK

A first offender found drunk .pleaded guilty and was convicted and discharged. FALSE PRETENCE.

Robert Win. Blythe was charged with being drunk and pleaded guilty. He was also charged with obtaining by means of a false pretence from Frank Bade of an overcoat valued at '£4 -2s 6d, and from Renton and Co. an axe, one hammer and one’ tea iset of a value of £3 ss.

Accused pleaded guilty and elected to he dealt with summarily.

Sergt. King stated that the accused came down from Wanganui in February last and went to Harihari. He •got a job there scrub cutting, staying there till about three months ago. During that time he had a 'bereavement, and later had gone on a drinking Wot. He arrived here on 17th November with a. few pounds. He kept on drinking. He went to Renton and Co. on the 22nd. and obtained goods valued at £3 7s. He stated that the goods were for Cecil Barrett of Harihari. He went to Mrs Hall and sold the axe and hammer. Later he sold the tea seat to Mr»> Hall also. On the .Monday lie, went to Mr Bade’s nn?l bought an overcoat valued at £4 2s Ctl, stating he was Cecil Barrett, and. at once went to Mrs Hall and sold the coat to her. Enquires proved that Mr Barrett had not authorised the purchase. John V. Hall gave evidence that he bought an overcoat, an axe, hammer and tea set from Blythe, of Harihari. It was the accused. He appeared perfectly sober. He gave 2fifl for the overcoat, 6s. for the axe and hammer, and 12s 6d for the- tea set. He understood accused had recently lost his wife, and he stated that be had no use for the articles and wanted some ready money as he was going away. The Bench convicted accused on the charges of false pretences,. the two charges being taken together. He was fined £5, and to make' restitution to Mrs Hall of £2 4s 6d. He was given a fortnight to pay the money, in' default 14 days Oh the charge of drunkenness he was convicted and discharged.