MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14832, 25 November 1913, Page 4

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

' '» —' (Before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M.) DRUNKENNESS. One first offender for , drunkenness was fined ss, in default 24 hours' imprisonment. OBSCENE LANGUAGE. George Barnes (Mr A. T. Donnelly), pleaded not guilty to, and eloctod to be dealt with summarily on, a charge of using obscene language. A constable stated that the accused, who wa* under the influence of liquor, was in the company of 6everal other youths, when he used the language complained of. Counsel did not call any witnesses, but addressed the Court, pointing out that the accused was a young man of good character, and that the languago was used while under the influence of liquor. The Magistrate: That makes it all tho worse! I shall deal severely with all cases of disorder during this special time.

Mr Donnelly asked that the special consideration always extended by the Court to a first offender, should be extended to his client. The Magistrate: Yes, at any other time, but not now! In sentencing tho accused to fourteen days' imprisonment, with hard labour, the Magistrate added that anything which inflamed the public mind at this time was a danger. THEFT. Emily Denham was charged with the theft ot & pair of field glasses, the property of John Fowke, and valued at £10 10s. She pleaded not guilty. Mr Fowke stated that he had attended the races on the 15th of this month, and when tho third race was being run, tho accused camo up to him and spoke to him. Ho had k.-.own her for come years, and tho accused knew him and his family. Later, he missed the glasses. Witness advertised for them, and received a reply signed "A Anderson," asking him what reward would be given in the event of her getting the glasses for him. Ho then placed the matter in the hands of the police. Detective Regan gave evidence as to searching the house of tho accused and rinding the glasses. Accused said she had found, the glasses, and had answered tlie advertisement, merely out of curiosity, to asceri tain whether it referred to the glasses I that she had found, and to find out I what the reward was. She made no | secret of the matter, so far as her ! ueighbours and friends were concerned. Detective Bishop said the woman was well-known to them as an associate of thieves and prostitutes. The Accused: In that case I think I'd better have my case tried before a jnrv. Tho Magistrate: Too late now! Fined 40s, or one month's imprisonment, and , ordered to pay the expenses. | CIVIL CASES. j Judgment by default, with costs, was | entered in the loliowing civil cases: — iJ % and A. "W. Munnings (Mr Rowe) v. i W. E. Young, £_ 7s; F. H. Musgrove I (Mr Thomas) v. C. L. Hawkins, £2 0s i -d; H. Matson and Co. (Mi Thomas) |v. A. E. Pollard, £2 15s 6d; J. A. i lledpath and tions (Mr Thomas) v. E. !J. Ross £8: C. J. Williamson (Mr Good- | man) v. Herbert 11. Dlarqnet, £3 9s; ! Miss E. Gill (Mr Rowe) v. H. Riclwrd- ' -son. £1 2s 6d; J. .Shand and Co., Ltd., , (Mr Rowe) v. J. ]{. Mayson, £3 7s; Yates ami Buliivant (Mr Rowe) v. Thomas Hughes. £1 13*; J. S. Hawkes. Ltd. (Mr Thomas) v. L. V. Grant, £2 18s 6d; J. Grant and Co., Ltd. (Mr Rowe) v. F. Glover, 12s 6d.

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