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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 110, 2 October 1914, Page 2

'BEFORE MS A, CROOKB, S,M. At tho Magistrate's On art yesterday a first offender was convicted and discharged on a charge of li"rig drunk., and ordered to pay 2s cab faro. BREAKJHES OF ti\ LAW. Walter Junes third 5J for .riding a 'bicycle without a Ix'ii. William Pellew, for sweeping a footpath after 9 a.m., was fined us and cost*. On tlie application of Mr Jt. H. Quilliam, the hearing of the information against Michael: Jones was adjourned for 'live weoks to enaibic defendant to execute the improvements to his sublet as required by the Borough Council. G. W. Martnell wu« lined 10m and costs 10a <id for unlawful y proeei »ling to orcct stables without a .permit. Mx Standiah, who appeared lor defendant, urged, that the 'breach was merely technical, a permit having been obtained for the. residence, but not tor the stables. In tho case i» which thj Taranaki County Council proceeded against George Hewicka for failing to Ibuiry a .dead beast lying on the road, Afr Quilltam- applied for an adjournment owing to the absence of ■, material witnesses. Blr Stanford, who appiared for defendant, stated he had come from Stratford' on purpose to a)*pear for the defence, and he applied for costs. Ilia Worship aTlowud £1 la solicitor's fee, and 15* lor defendant.

ASSAULT AND ROBBEIiY. John Slianpe was charged w 111 robboriy rnd assault. Air R. Quiiliam appeared for accused. IX'tective-Sergt. Boddam outlined the the (prosecution. 'Win, James, laborer and contractor, residing at Inglewood, said he arrived in New (Plymouth by train at 11 a.m. on Saturday last, and remained in town all day. At 10 p.m., ivhile. standing mar Ambury's fhop, he met accused, who was a perfect stranper, and asked him if he knew where lie (wit-notw) could get a night's lodging. Accused said he kept a boardinghe-use and invited witness to accompany him thither for a night'* lodging. Witness wore, an overcoat and hat, and had in his pocket one sovereign and four ha-f crowns. He also carried a watch and chain. Witneao went with accused and they entered t)he front room. Witness sat down and tccused asked 'him if he woidd like some supper, to which he re.plu.l in the affirmative. The next thing that happened was that ho was hit across the head iby a stick which accused had. Accused then either pulb-d tho chair from under witness or pushed ihim on the floor, struggling with witnctw and taking the money out of his (roiisers .pocket, also taking the waUh and chain. Wihwss struggled a B well as he could, but accused was too strvug for him. On witness getting up, lhj was thrust out of doors by accused, h ; a hat tr,d coat being left behind. Witne»* wandered about for some time and later on found himself near the Imperial Hotel, where he met a constable and nado a complaint. On the following morning, in company with the police, he went to accused's house, and ijoiii : ; the iwiatoh, chain, overcoat and hat found there.

To Mr Quilliam: Might have had half-a-dozen drinks of beer, perhaps more. Had intended to return by the 1 p.m. train, hut missed it by abotit five minutes. Did not know why ha did not catch the next train, but \v:i rt some distance from the station at 4.10 p.m. He thought he might as well stay ia town till Sunday morning, Both trains were missed l>y accident? Witnw was not drunk when he first spoke to accused, and had not drunk too much liquor to impair his judgment. The hf;<)W witne.% received from accused'* stick was sufficient to lay him out. Denied making any improper Temark to accued's wife, Mrs Sharpe was .present while witness, was assaulted and robbed. After being thrust out he did not return and ask for hia property. Spent the remainder of the night in walking the etrects. Mad £3 when he camo to New Plymouth, and fi-ave awav ahout las, and probably about 10s waa spent on drink.

Detective-Sergeant Jioddam stated that ho went to accused's house l Young street with complainant and Constable O'Neill. Informed accuse* that Mr Jones had complained of being robbed of 30s in money, watch and (.ham, coat and ihat, by a man answering accused's description, and (hat (In- mLberv was alleged to hate occurred in the house where Jamcm had .been taken uider the pretence of getting hnir.'l and lodging. Accused replied: "You luve irade 11 great mistake." Complainant and the constable then cntm-cd the room and immediately complainant saw accused he said: "You are the man that Htole my witch and chain and -;n>ii.>y last night." Accused then said that when lie came home at 10 p.m the previous night James was in the house trying to insult his (accused's) wife end he had thrown him out. Accused admitted the hat and coat wore left behind by complainant. Accused dented oil knowledge of tho watch and the money, and invited witness to anarch (he house. Witness and the searched, and the latter found in a cupboard a packet of tea. in which wrs a metal watch and chain, which James identified as Ms property. Accmed th»n Raid: I will plcKul guilty now. f the watch and chain as I was nuttiV the old man out of the door." Aec,sc£ vas then arrested. Constable (Weill gave coiro-borafivr evidence. Accused, whs pleaded guftv. wa, ,•„■„. muted for sentence.