THE COURTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16146, 26 February 1918, Page 3

THE COURTS.

SITPBEME COURT. ' CRIMINAL SITTINGS. > (Before his Honour Mr Justice Chapman.) ATTEMPTED ARSON. ■ Gcardon Francis Walls (Mr van Asch) appeared for sentence on a charge of attempted arson at Kangiora.Mr van Asch stressed the prisoner's previous clear record, and asked that ho be admitted to probation. Mr Raymond agreed that accused had previously borno a good character. He had served for £wo years at tho war, where he had been wouhded and. gassed. Driiik appeared-to be his chief failing. His Honour said that ho would not like to decide off-hand what punishment he would inflict. He would order the accused to' be detained until he sent for him within the course of a few days. MAGISTERIAL. (Before Jlr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M.) DRUNKENNESS. Kenneth McLeod, charged with drunkenness, wns ordered to pay 10s lid, expenses incurred, in default, 48 hours'- imprisonment. Charles' MtGehan, charged with drunkonness, and using obscene language, was convicted and discharged on tho first charge, and sentenced to three months' imprisonment on the second. Four first offenders were each fined ss. ALLEGED POSTAL THEFT. William Daniel O'Reilly was charged with stealing on or about February 6th, 1018, at C'ulverden, £4 13s, the P ro " perty of the Postmaster-General. ChiefDetoctive Mcllvenev applied for a remand until March Jth. On this being | granted, accused appliod for bail. The Chief Detective asiced that it should be substantial, as other chaTges might be brought against accused. Bail was fixed at self in £50, and one surety of £50. CIVIL BUSINESS. In each of the following civil cases judgment was given for plamtitt' by deiauH: —Booth, Macdonalu and Co., Ltd. j v. James Craig, £2b 15s; Cnristcuurcii ! Press Company, Ltd. v. p. Brady, 10a ! <xt; same v. J. Barr, £2 15s (id; same v. Ji. G. Bruuer, JL'6; same v. Percy B. Berndsion, £o os; Game v. John A. ' Burgoyne, 7s (3d ; same v. Thomas Cot- : ton, £» bs OU; same v. A. Cunnitie, £4 ; 3s oa; same v. D. A. Danielson, os; ! some. v. B. W. Day, £'3 3s; same v. Joseph H. Dodson, i' 2 2s (3d; same v. VV. G. Dutton, £2 8s (3d; same v. G. M. J. East, £7 10s; same v. "Andrew Hardic, £2 lis od; «aine v. Gordon Haroourt, £1 l-5s tin; same v. Daniel J. Langrope, £3 Ids (3d; same v. E. Robson, £1 Is: tamo v. Henry J. Roberts, £4 7s Od; same v. Louis Tihepherd, £li Ids (id; same v. Patrick Tobin, £2 18s <jd; uanie v. John C, Thomas, £o Is; same v. Goorge Winuloburu. £1 3s Gd; Siuno v. Richard Taiuroa, £<i; John Martin -Mitchell v. H. J. Pritchard £8 Itia 3d; T. Cocks r.ud Son v. William Barry, £1 14s Ocl; .Uiccarton Timber Company, Ltd, v. Holland Threlkeld, j £1 los lOd. DEFENDED CASES. I In the caso of the estate of J. W. sr.iith and Co. (Mr R. Twyneham) v. John Skipper (Mr F. K. Hunt), claim lor £9 2s Id, value of goods allegedly supplied to defendant, a non-suit was granted. Albert Thomas Scott (Mr T. H. Williams) sued Whitcombo and Tombs, Ltd. (Mr Wright) for £11, balance allegedly due on a payment for supply of striuvboards. Alter lengthy evidence had been heard, judgment was given for defendant. A question as to the Magistrate's I jurisdiction in the case of Walter Daniels (Mr Thomas) v. E. C. Ballinger (Mr Acland), claim for £7 10s, for use and occupation, resulted in tho case being adjourned until Monday next, ; when the Magistrate r>aid he would an- ' nounce his decision. RESERVED .JUDGMENT. Reserved judgment was delivered j the caso of Joseph Clarke (Mr O. T. J. Alpersj v. W. C. Weddersyoon (Mr M. J. Qresson), in which tlie plaintiff . claimed £lt>o, being 3 per cent, commission on, the sum of £0000. After re- j viewing the evidence, the Magistrate j said that it was difficult, in view of con- ; iradictory. statements, to ascertain what j were the true facts. The burden or : proving his case, however, lay on the I plaintiff. Ho had failed to prove it. j Judgment must therefore bo for de- ( fendant,