PETONE COURT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1882, 16 October 1913, Page 11

PETONE COURT.

Dr. M'Arthur, S.SL, presided over the monthly sitting of tho Peton© Magistrate's Court yesterday morning. •i". Mothes, J.P., was associated with him on 1 the Bench. Application was made by Ellen Coutts against Richard Neavo Cooitts for a summary separation, order, maintenance, and custody of seven children, on the grounds of> persistent cruelty and failure to maintain. Mr. H. F.Ayson ®PP e^ r ed for complainant on behalf of the Society for the Protection of \\omen and Children, and Mr. Cracroft Wilson for defendant. After part of tlio evidenco had been heard, defendant agreed to a summary separation, and to contribute 355. a a s maintenance for his wife and children. Counsel for plaintiff agreed to waive the allegations of failure- to maintain and of persistent cruelty. Solicitor's fee (£1 Is.) was allowed against defendant.

Patrick J. M'Cormaok failed to P® ar 011 a charge of committing a breach of the Masters and Apprentices Act, by absenting himself 'from work without leave. Evidence was given by Mr. S'r ,® ar £' 1 ? manager of tho Potono Workshops, in support of tho charge. His Worship ordered that accused should be dismissed from the Government service and his indenfoures cancelled'.

A charge of travelling by train and attempting to evade the payment of fare was preferred against J. i'arquharson. Accused, who pleaded not guiltv, was represented by Mr. H. F. Ayson. The evidence as to dates was conflicting, and His Worship decided to give accused the benefit of the doubt, and dismissed the case. '

The maximum penalty of £5 with costs 9s. was imposed on Victor Hawthorne for failing to render personal service. Accused, who failed to appear, was stated to have absented himself from drill for tho past two years. The option to tho fine was 14 days' detention in Alexandra Barracks.

For failing to attend drill, Ernest N. Battorsby and A. E. Hainsworth were each convicted and fined 10s., with costs 9s. On a similar charge James Georgo Willielm was convicted and ordered to pav Court costs, 9s. Kate Burns, with five aliases, appeared on a charge of insobriety. She was convicted and discharged. Richard Neave Coutts was similarly treated in respect to a charge of disorderly conduct whilst drunk.

In tho Juvenile Court a boy was ordered to receive six strokes of the birch for tho theft of a bicycle. Two othor lads wore cautioned and discharged for letting off fireworks in Jackson Street.

Judgment was given for plaintiff by default in tho civil case Cotton and Son v. C. E. Y. Taylor, for £5 19s. 5d., and costs Bs.

Edward Mooro proceeded ngainst Mr. Carter, of the firm of M'Ewen and Carter, for the sum of £5, as amount of damage to a fence. His Worship held that the claim was not a monetary affair, and ordered defendant to put the damaged fence in order and pay solicitor's fee, 10s. Gd. Mr. Cracroft Wilson appeared for plaintiff.