MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2455, 7 May 1915, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

CHARGE OF CRUELTY

INFORMATION DISMISSED

Reserved judgment was delivered by Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, in respect to a rase brought against Frederick Futter, of Johnsonvillo, by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, for alleged cruelty to a collie dog. It had been alleged that defendant had thrown the dog some feet over a cliif, and that it had landed with great force on the ground below, after bouncing down some hundred feet. The Magistrate had reserved his decision so that ho might visit the spot where the alleged offence had been committed.

In giving his decision, the Magistrate said that one must look for motive in a case of this description. It would, certainly not be to defendant's interest to throw a valuable dog over a cliff. Then there was considerable conflict of ovidence. One boy had said that defendant took the dog by the tail and had swung it around with one hand. The Magistrate remarked that he had felt the weight of the dog, and found it to be a very heavy one, so that he thought the boy's eyesight must have failed him here. The circumstances were suspicious, but there was not sufficient evidence to warrant a conviction. The information would be dismissed. Mr. T. Neave appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. D. Jackson for defendant.

POLICE CASES. Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., dealt with the police cases at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. Evelyn Butler pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness,' but stated she did not know how to plead on a charge of being idle and disorderly, with insufficient means of support, as she had hardly been out of gaol twenty-four hours. The Magistrate remarked that she had already been given a number of chances, and fined her £3, in default one month for drunkenness, and sentenced her to three months' imprisonment on the second charge. " •<weiw yrfptm was continued and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon on a charge of importuning. She was defended by Mr. H. F. O'Lear*.

- Mary Louisa Clark was convicted and discharged for drunkenness, and fined £1, in default fourteen days' imprisonment, for using obscene language. Mary Jane Brown, similarly charged, was convicted and discharged for drunkenness. and fined £2, in default fourteen days' imprisonment, for using obscene language. For drunkenness, Thomas Geaughan was fined £1, in default three days' imprisonment, _ while six first offenders were dealt with. CIVIL CASES. A claim for £7 10s. for balance due on an advertising contract was heard by Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., Blundell Bros., Ltd., proceeding against Fitzgerald and Pearce for this sum. Mr. H. F. Von Haast appeared for plaintiffs, and Mr. T.- Neave _ for defendants. After hearing the evidence, the Magistrate reserved his decisioh.

BREACH OF DAIRYMAN'S AWARD. Stavely and Waito, dairymen, of Minerva Street, were proceeded against by the Inspector of Awards (Mr. W. Slaughter) for_ a breach of the dairymen's award, in that they employed a driver for more than, fifty nours a.week, and failing to pay overtime rates for the same. . A penalty of £2 was imposed.

DEFAULT DEBTORS' LIST. Judgment wai* given for plaintiff by default in the following undefended oivil cases by Mr. W. Gf. Riddell, S.M.Hutcheson, Wilson and Co. v. J. Thomas, 12s. 6d., costs os.; O'Regan and Dickson v. B. Langood, £2 25., "•osts 10s.; Walter White v. William Wilson, £5, costs £1 os. 6d.; Laery and Co., Ltd., v. H. Watts, £44 lis. 4d.. costß £1 Os. 3d.; R. Stent and Co. v. Sydney Vincent, 155.; Vacuum Oil Co., Proprietary, Ltd., v. Girdwood and Ross, £18 45., costs £1 10s. 03..; same v. W. H. Tubman, £12 135., costs £1 12s. Gd.; Ferguson and Osborn v. L. Cobcroft, 15s. 6d., costs 10s.; Blundell Bros., Ltd., v. H. G. Houldsworth, 145., costs 55.; E. AV. Mills and Co., Ltd., v. 1 Herbert Greathead, £3 7s. 2d., costs 10s.; Executors of the Estate of John Fitchett (deceased) v. Stephen Harrington, £23 Bs. 6d., costs £2 14s. ; Rosey Co., Ltd., v. W. and E. Brocklebank, £5, costs £1 os. 6d.; same v. Messrs. Abel Bros., £7 135., costs £1 3s. Cd.; Smith and Smith, Ltd., v. William Wilson, 14s. 6d., costs 55.; Public Trustee v. Wm. Henry Adams, £12 os. 6d., costs £1 lis. 6d.; T. and W. You UK v. M. Gerraghty, £7 155., cost's £1 3s. Gd.; N.Z. News Co., Ltd., v. J. W. Thomson, £1 10s. lid., costs os.; Commercial Agency, Ltd., v. Ti-. hema Henarc. £2 lis., costs £1 ss.