ELTHAM.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1921, Page 6

ELTHAM.

MAGISTRATE’S COURT. BREACHES OF BY-LAWS. Dec. 5. A sitting of the Magistrate’s Court was held here to-day, Mr. A. M. Mowlem presiding. Hector Libeau, for riding a bicycle without a light in Eltham, was fined 10s and costs 7s. Thos. Hammersley (Kaponga), for driving a gig without a light on the Eltham — Opunake Road, was fined £1 and costs 7s 6d. David John Briggs (Kaponga), for riding a motor cycle across an intersection at Kaponga at a speed in excess of the regulations, was fined £1 and costs 7s 6d. George Murray (Kaponga), for whom Mr. Cramp appeared, pleaded guilty to being drunk while in charge of a horse and gig ’ Constable Townsend said defendant had two mishaps when returning from the Stratford Show under the influence of liquor, and damaged a lamp post to the extent of £1 3s. After hearing Mr. Crump in mitigation of the offence, the magistrate said the case was quite clear. Defendant was liable to a penalty of three months without the option of a fine, but he would be given a chance. He would be fined £5 and costs, and ordered to pay the £1 3s damage. CRUELTY TO A COW. Alexander Christopher O’Connor, farmer, of Matapu, was charged with cruelty to a cow at Matapu on November 11. O’Connor pleaded not guilty. Sergeant Henry briefly outlined the facts as would be disclosed by evidence. It appeared that O’Connor owned a cow which was somewhat troublesome. It had calved, and was running in a paddock with a horse and a bull. O’Connor apparently wished to take the animal into the milking shed,, and, experiencing some difficulty, procured a pitchfork, with which he was seen by some school children to pierce the cow three or four times. There was considerable conflicting evidence by the witnesses giving evidence, which occupied the greater part of the day. O'Connor maintained that the animal was dangerous, but he did not use the pitch-fork as stated. The blood on the cow, he thought, might have been caused by barbed wire, or the result of calving. The magistrate considered that the boys who saw the incident, in giving their evidence, told the truth, and he fined defendant £1 and costs 355. ALLEGED BREAKING AND ENTERING. Bernard and Arthur Coulter were charged that on Wednesday, November 30, they did break into the Bon Marche at Eltham. The police stated that the nightwatchman (Adam Rae) found the back door of the premises. had been entered by using a thin instrument to slide the lock back. On the morning of December 1 he found a small piece of hoop iron (produced) resting on a table beneath the window. He and the constable also found part of a burglar’s outfit in the pockets of one of the accused. He found a key in the door, and on giving it a turn found it unlocked the door. He had previously drawn Mr. Waugh’s attention to the key being in the door, but he said it did not matter, as it was always bolted from the inside. On investigating further he found there was someone in the shop, and on putting on the torch he saw a man and asked hmi what he was doing there. He replied: “That’s no business of yours.” The man came out of the room. “After a scuffle and some words the man succeeded in getting away with my torch and revolver. Witness described the man to Constable Townsend. He went to the house occupied by the two brothers, and found them in bed. He recognised one of the accused in court as the man in the Bon Marche that night. Arthur E. Waugh, draper and proprietor of the Bon Marche, said his instructions to his assistant was to always lock up the shop in Bridge Street, Eltham, at 6 p.m. On investigation by himself he found that nothing had been taken. Neither of the accused had any right to be in his shop on the night of the entry. Mrs. Scott, housekeeper and employee of the night-watchman, who was present with him on the night in question, corroborated his evidence. Constable Townsend stated that between 11.25 a.in. and 12.39 a.m. on the morning of December 1 he 4vent to the Bon Marche with Mr. Rae, and found that a piece of packing board had been used to prop up the window which gave access to the Bon Marche. He saw marks on the window ledge showing that someone had entered thereby. After what Mr. Rae had told him he went to Mr. Coulter’s house and interviewed the boys, when Bernard said that he came home from the billiard room at 10.30 p.m. After searching his clothes witness found five keys, two of which were what are generally known as skeleton keys. In the brother’s clothes witness found the piece of hoop iron produced, which accused said he picked up. Both the accused made a statement, which they signed. They were subsequently arrested. The same evening, while searching at the back of

the Bon Marche, witness found a revolver (produced) about six yards from the back door. Mr. Rae recognised it as the one taken from him. Both accused pleaded not guilty, reserved their defence, and were committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth, bail being allowed for £3OO, or two sureties of £l5O each.