MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2465, 19 May 1915, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

POLICE CASES

OPIUM SMUGGLER CAUGHT

Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., presided at tho Magistrate's Court yesterday. A plea of guilty was entered by Karl Alfredson to tho charge that he smuggled ten tins of opium, to tho value of £11 os. Mr. E. It. Brabazon, for the Customs Department, said that tho accused was a member of the s.s. Invcrtay, and he only declared to the Customs officials on some tobacco. Tho Department did not press for the full ponalty of £'100.

A fine of £25, in default two months' imprifmnmoiit, was imposed. Accused said that ho could not pay, but asked to see tho captain of the Invertay. Tho captain of tho vessel said that accused had £10 15s, coming to him. Mo was rather .simple, and tho Chinese had imposed upon him, in gotting him to bring the opium ashore. Mr. Brabazon suggested that the line might bo further reduced in tho circumstances, but the Magistrate decided not to do this, but to make representations !.o the Deparlment, to see if they would remit portion of tho line.

Henry Edward Jpfl'erd pleaded guilty to the charge that he was a rogue and a vagabond, iu that he consorted with reputed thieves. There was a. long list of convictions against accused, and a sentence o! six months' imprisonment with hard labour was imposed. For insobriety, Amvie MtmWh, a prohibited person, was lined 205., in default 48 hours' imprisonment; Samuel Hunter was convicted and ordered to pay 17s. 6d. medical expenses; William Reid was fined 205., in default threo flays' imprisonment; and five first offenders were dealt with in tho usual way.

CIVIL LIST. •Tudo:meiit for plaintiff by default was given in the following civil ensos:—,T. T. Lewis v. F. Robinson, £0 os. fid., costs CI 3s. fid.: .T. A. Dohertv v. ,T. M'Mahon, £2 lis., oosls 125.; Alox Adcoek v. Leonard Webb. £1 os. lld M cosfs Hh.: .T. ,T. Curtis and Co.. Ltd!,'

v. Richard O. Fnlbrook. 55., costs 5k.; •Tames Smith, Ltd., v. Minna Gertrude Rowband, 7s. lid., costs fls.: R. R. Ferguson v. Dwell Osborne. C. costs ins.: A. and T. Burt, Ltd..'v. Maurice Phillip Sniers. £5 !V. costs 61 3s. (id.: TFenrv Parker v. WilKam Hnnltor, CI os. 2d., r-osls 75.: Public Trustee' fnr tho estate or M->rv Ann Smith (deceased) T. >7. Mos en, C 5 Ps., costs £1 ss. fid. : George Rnnddon v. Alfred pinri-v, .-CIS Jss„ costs IS*.; George M'Lean v. William A. Wilkinson. ,C 8 os. (id., costs £1 os. fid.: Jnmop Kerr v. P. W. Galvin, -Is., costs £1 7s.

A CLAIM FOP RATES. Before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., an action was heard in which the Karon Borough Council sued Albert Wardle, dairyman, for the sum of £13 7«. f)d!| rc-presonting rates alleged to be due bv the defendant for the year 10M-15. Defendant admitted that his name was on tile c.iiiincil's rate-book as the occupier of the property, but ho denied liability. Ho said that ha had been the

losseo of the property in question, but Ins lease had expired. l'or Urn plaintiff body it was contended that del'oudant was hound to (live notice in writing to that effect, and as ho had failed to do to he ivas liable lor llio rates. Verbal notice had ueon "iven, but this was not regarded as sulliciout.

Defendant bold that it was necessary to give written notieo only whero there luul been a sale or other transfer, but not when a lease expired bv effluxion ol timn.

His Worship ruled that tho onus was <111 defendant to see that his name was removed from tho rate-book. In tliese circumstances .ill be could do was to enter judgment for plaintiff, with costs. Defendant had bis remedy against the o\vner, who was primarily responsible. 4.1. A. do ]!. Brandon appeared for the council, and Mr. P. W. Jackson for the defendant.