MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 54, 25 August 1911, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

NEW PLYMOUTH. A sitting of the Police Court was held yesterday before Mr. H. S. Fitzherbcrt, S.M., when a number of cases were dealt with. MAINTENANCE. . Annie Johnson, for whom Mr. A. H. Johnstone appeared, proceed against Julius de Silva, a hawker, who did not appear, for failure to comply with an order of the court for maintenance. It was shown that the arrears were £24 10g. . An order was marie for" payment of the amount forthwith, or in default one month's imprisonment, warrant to be suspended so long as defendant paid £2 per month. THEFT OF FIREWOOD. F. Mansell Jones was charged with theft on August 8, 1011, of some pinus insignia firewood, valued at 4s, the property of J. E. Cossey. Sergt. Dart prosecuted.

Accused applied for an adjournment on the grounds that he had been unable to get a solicitor. The case was accordingly adjourned for an hour. On being called upon later accused pleaded guilty; Mr. J. B. Roy, who appeared for accused, asked his Worship to take into consideration accused's good character and also the fact of the temptation. The theft was a very small one, and he suggested that conviction and a small fine would meet the case. The mere fact of conviction would be heavy punishment to his client. Senior-Sergeant Dart agreed that accused bore a good character. He did not believe in a small fine, however, but suggested that a .conviction should be recorded and accused ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, and also ordered to pay the value of the wood, 4s, and the expenses of Cossey, 12s.

His Worship characterised the theft as a very mean one—an old man slaving away to get the firewood and a young able-bodied man stealing it from him. He considered that Sergeant Dart's request %as not unreasonable and passed sentence accordingly.