MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1932, Page 3

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

GREMOUTH. April 26

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr W. Meldrum S.M. tee business dealt with included—'l HEFT CHARGE. Appearing on remand, Edtya'd Francis Niekoll, pleaded guilty to (1) That on or about March 10, 1932. at Christchurch, he did commit the theft of one gent’s bicycle valued at £3. the property of s ome person or per-ons unknown; (2) that at Jackson’s, ; on .March 12. with intent to defraud le did obtain the sum of £1 10 from William Dempster, by means of a false pretence; (3) That- at Bin-wood. Christchurch, on or about .Vlanli o 1932, he did commit the theft of one gent’s bicycle valued at £3 Ids, ll.e property of Ernest Price. Senior Sergeant Roach stated t! a one bicycle was lost by Price fit Bedford Road on March 5. The offender stated that he had found it in some scrub at Burwood, and took possession. He sold it to Dowell at 1Kinga for 30s. In reference to the other b cede, Niekoll left Christchurch' after he had stolen it from the MadraStreet hyjdge. He stated that he was under the influence of liquor at tin time, and after walking with it tili lie had sobered, lie rode it to Ot-iri-and there sold it to Rower for 255. Power gave him os. and told bin-, that lie could ride the bicycle on to Greymouth where lie could collect tlu £1 from Mr Ogilvio. On the way, Niekoll met Dempster at Jackson’s and offered to gel 1 him the bicycle Ur 30s. Demp.-itor decided to buy it. and Niekoll gave him the bicycle, and received the money. He came on to Greymouth and produced the note gi'--en him by Power, to Ogilvie. who paid him LI. Niekoll had £2 in Ins pusession, when he was arrested, am the Senior-Sergeant suggested that tin 62 he equally d:ceded between Power Dowell and Dempster. The police lm found Price to be"' the owner of one of the bicycles, but had not foam the owner of the second machine. Ac cured was last betoro tlu* Court n Mav of last year.

‘ I just put it down to the hard time-* 1 have had.” said accused. I have since struck a job, but for seven days l had practically nothing to cat. and was lying out under the hush, J had a, soldier’s pension of £l2 pei month stopped when 1 got into m\ first trouble. 1 am still under 1.13. treatment as a result of the war. I s ohl the bicycles with the intention of getting myself some warmer clothes. 1 did not then know that I had ;

chance of a job, blit I got one a:tii the bikes had been sold. 1 iutondoc to try and got tin m back and retui i them to their owners, but it was toe. late then. I did not have the clianoi of getting work before.'’ . ... The S.M. : Unfortunately for you you have* a lengthy list. \on have been before the Court on seven occasions for theft, and twice for false pittances. " ~

"I ’have*had’i) T rough’ time since T returned from the front, and 1 have lost my pension,” said act used. The S.M. convicted accu-ed ansentenced h>in to three month's’.'imprisonment oil each charge,, the sen tences to' he concurrent. An. oj-'lei was made for the return of the biev ides to the owners, and the stun oi 13s -Id each, to be paid to Dowell. Power, and Dempster.

SAFETY LAMPS, John Watson of was charged, that being a deputy ol lilac head mine, he did use a safety lani| uuich had not since lasi in n-.c. uoei thoroughly examined at the sun an by a competent peison apponue-i u, tne manager lor that purpose, an. found by him to be in sate woikiii, order, and securely backed (ontiarv to the form of the Statute. .('oi, iiugnes, Inspector of Alines. ex plained that the breach was more s.ig luficaiu than indicated on the inhumation. The particular place whore, defendant was working was badly veil tilated and there was distinct evidence ol tire damp. There was noa lamp on the works, in a fit stall for burning. A safety lamp was tin only means available for the detention of the presence of fire damp, am. therefore it was necessary that tin lamp should be kept in good order. Defendant was convicted and find. Lb with IDs costs.