MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1368, 20 February 1912, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M.)

YOU DON'T CARE,"

BENCH REBUKES HUSBAND. At the Magistrate's Court yesterday a young, well-dressed man. who is living apart from his wife, and is uiulor an obligation to pay .£1 a week towards the support, of the parties' four children. iuvt a cutting remark from .Mr. W. 0. Riddell, S.M., in Court yesterday. The iiinii applied for a reduction of the order of maintenance. It was stated by the polic that he was over .6100 in arrears in respect di the order, lie described himself as a wharf labourer, and said that he only earned Jil 7s. Gd. n week.

Sub-Inspector Slicchau; 1 understand there is an order against the wife, and that she is making an honest effort to keep it. Mr. Riddell, S.M : What is her occupation? Sub-Inspector Shcehan: She is a waitress., The man was urging his inability to pay a sum so large as £1 every week towards his children's support. "You don't.care whether they are alive t>r not: that is your position," said his Worship. "Your application is dismissed until you make an attempt to pay something off. When you make an honest endeavour to fulfil your obligation 1 will listen to you; not before."

"TWICK UNDER THE NOSE." Two young men were charged with using threatening behaviour in a public place. One pleaded guilty, but stated that he had striick in soH^lcfenoc.

Mr. F. Kelly said that the matter was not a verv serious one. Ho understood that tlio men were friends. They had had a disctisfion, and one "twicked the other under the noso," and that had led on to blows. Nothing would have come of the affair had not a. policeman been present nt tho time. Ho thought (hut a light penalty would meet the <"aso. Each defendant was fined .£l. HORSE'S TROUBLES. A charge of cruelly ill-treating a horse iras made igainsl Isaac Sykes. Defendant said that ho would not deny that the horse had sores, but that he w not aware that any cruelty was being done. Constable Melville deposed that when he saw the horse it had two raw wounds under the saddle, and sows on its sides. The horse was in poor condition, and walked groggily. Evidence was given by fcergeant Kelly, who said that ho had seen the horse, and liad no doubt that it was suffering pain. The case was not a very had one. Mr.-1 , . Crosby, veterinary surgeon, and defendant, also went into the box. Defendant explained that the horse had not been worked after the sores had come (through bad-fitting harness), and the sores had developed through the horse being left with harness on all one day in a strong sun. Tho information was dismissed.

TEN TELEGRAMS. Thomas Henderson, alias Busbridge, alias Fitzpatriek, was accused of opening ten telegrams sent by Fred Jewell, addressed T. Phillips, 'Wellington. Chief-Deeteive Hroberg desired a remand till February 28. This was granted. Mr. A. L. Herdman, who appeared for Henderson, asked for bail to be fixed. l»ail was alloned, and the amount fixed at .CBO, in one surety or two. The telegrams in question were from Opaki, I'nlinc.Tston North, and Featherskn. OTHER CASES. David Andrews was fined 10s. and ordered to pay cost?, 135.,.f0r allowing a hoiso to be at large. For leaving a vehicle unattended in a street, Isaac Sykes was fined ss. An application by May Jackson to bo separated from Henry .lackson, for maintenance, and for custody of the children was dismissed. Mr. .P. W. Jackson appeared for the applicant, and Mr. A. L. Ilcrdm.i.i for the defendant. For disobeying maintenance orders, .Simon John Gullery was sentenced to two months' imprisonment, and William Arthur Andrews to one month's imprisonment. For insobriety, Florence M'Anally was fined 10s. Louisa Maitlaml was convicted of insobriety and discharged, and was fined £\ for breaking a prohibition order. Joseph Kenny was charged with insobriety and Tomauded for a week for medical treatment. A caso ; n which William Burns was alleged to bo the father of a certain child was heard. Hums denied the charge. He was defended by Mr, P. W. Jackson, and Mr. E. C. Lovvey represented the plaintiff. His Worship reserved his decision.