MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1922, Page 2

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

NEW PLYMOUTH SITTING. A sitting of the New Plymouth MagisCourt was held yesterday, Mr. A. M. Mowlem, S.M., being on the bench. A COSTLY TRAIN JOURNEY. Instead of paying 5s 9d for the pleasure of travelling second-class in the mail train from Hawera to New Plymouth on August 25, R. Walsh decided to travel for nothing, telling the guard that he had no money. Consequently, Guard McLean handed him over to the foreman at the New Plymouth station. Walsh then promised to call and pay the stationmaster next morning. Walsh, who did not appear in court, was fined £1 (costs 18s). THEFT OF HORSE, SADDLE AND BRIDLE. The theft of a pony, valued at £ll, and a riding saddle, bridle and surcingle, valued at £4 10s, formed the subject of two charges preferred against James Elliott. The property belonged to Arthur Wells, of Upper Mangorei, and was alleged to have been stolen by Elliott on November 5, 1921. Outlining the case, Detective-Sergeant Cooney said the accused was working for Mr. Wells up till August, 1921. On November 5, 1921, Mr. Wells had a pony in a. paddock near the house. The following morning he found that the pony was missing. A bridle and saddle had also been taken from the shed. A note had been left on the shed, reading as follows: “Me not thief; me pay for horse two weeks’ time, prap. 8 pound.” This, suggested the detective-sergeant, had probably been left in order to throw suspicion upon a Maori. It had been ascertained that the horse had been sold to a man at Rahotu on February 6 for £3, while the saddle had been sold for £2. Accused had later gone to Auckland, spending some time there. Whilst at Otorohanga accused had been arrested, a warrant having been issued. The accused had gone under the name of Gurnett when working at Mr. Wells’ -farm. Arthur O. Wells, farmer, at Upper Mangorei, gave evidence in support of the facts adduced by the police. Victor Roy Hodgson, farmer, of Rahotu, said he bought the .horse from accused on February G last for £3. F. W. Goody, of Rahotu, gave evidence as to buying the saddle from accused some months ago for £l, selling it later for £3, “It seems you’re the only- one who has got the better out of this deal then,” said the magistrate. Detective-Sergeant Cooney produced a statement made by accused to the constable at Otorohanga. in which he made a-frank confession of the theft and was in a way glad that he had to answer for these, as it had been a constant worry to him. Mr. Wells had always treated him well, and he admitted he had been guilty of a mean, low-down trick, -for which he would always be sorry. Accused pleaded guilty and was committed for sentence at the next sitting of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth. Bail was not applied for.