MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2600, 23 October 1915, Page 14

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

MILITARY CASES

TERRITORIALS IN COURT

Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., presided at tho sittings of the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when tho eases on tho list included several informations against members of tlie Territorial Forces for failing to attend drill. Ono of the informations was withdrawn because the defendant had gone to tlie front, and others were withdrawn 011 account of the fact that tho defendants were in camp with tho Reinforcements. Frederick Sage, who was reported to have said that the Magistrate could not force him to attend drill, was fined £2, and costs 75., the alternative being seven days' military detention. Thomas Douglas Staples, who admitted having obstructed a military parade of cadets, was fined 55., and costs 75., but tho Magistrate warned him that his fun might prove a trifle more oxpensive 011 any future occasion.

HOTEL LICENSEE FINED. Reserved judgment was delivered in tho case in which Daniel Buckley, licensee of the Foresters' Arms Hotel, was charged with supplying liquor to a police constable while tho latter was on duty. It had 'been contended that the liquor was intended to be takon from an appointed place after tho constable had finished his shift, and that no offence was therefore committed. Tho Magistrate could not accept this contention. He held that the property' in the goods passed at tho tinio tho goods could be taken delivery of, and, as it was clear that the constablo could have taken tlie liquor while on duty, tho defendant must he convicted. A fine of £2 was imposed, with costs 7s.

■' MAINTENANCE. John William Leslie pleaded guilty to disobedience of an ordor_ of the Court requiring him to maintain his wife. Tlie arrears amounted to £131. A sentence of three months' imprisonment was imposed, but the warrant is to be suspended so long as Leslie keeps up the payments of £1 per week, and pays a further 2s. 6d. per week in respect of the arrears, . which, were reduced to £30. On a rehearing of a maintenance case (heforo Mr. W. G. Eiddell, S.M.), Charles Edward Richardson was ordered to pay 10s. per week_ towards tho support of his wife. Previously an order had been made for payment of '£J. per week.

THEFT. Charles Henry Wickham, who was employed as nightwatchraan and "boots" on R.M.S. Arawa for tlie royage from England to New Zealand, was charged with stealing goods during the trip. Thero wero three separate charges, but tho total' value of tho goods did not-amount to. £5. Wickham pleaded guilty, and was fined £3, and witnesses' expenses Bs., with the. option of one month's' imprisonment. DESERTED HIS SHIP. 'A seaman, named Frederick Anderson, who pleaded guilty to deserting from the steamer Kaikonra, was sentenced to a: month's imprisonment. In tho event of the Kaikoura sailing from New Zealand heforo tho expiry of tlie sentence, Anderson is to be placed aboard the vessel.

'ASSAULT. Alfred Coaker, who assaulted Constable Frost when tho latter was arresting him for drunkenness, was finod £3, in default to undergo one month's imprisonment. BAD LANGUAGE. Frank Henry was convicted and discharged for drunkenness, but for using ohscone language, he was fined £2, the alternative being 14 days' imprisonment. A plea of guilty was entered by Amy Robertson, who was' charged with using obsceno language in Tui Streot. There were some previous convictions against the accused, and she was fined £3, and ordered to pay court- costs 7s. Tho Magistrate allowed seven days for payment of tho fine, default being fixed at one month's imprisonment.

OTHER CASES. Edward Godfrey, wlio had driven his motor-car at an exccssivo speed idien rounding the corner of Manners Street jnd Cuba Street, was fined £2, and ordered to pay court costs 7s. For leaving his motor-car unattended ill a public street, Fred Ireland was lined 55., and costs 7s. Charles Young did not appear to answer a chargo of having 110 taillight upon his motor-car, and as this, according to the City Solicitor (Mr. J. O'Shea) was liis seventh breach of the City by-laws since February, 1011, tho Magistrate imposed a fine of SOs., with court costs 7s. William Burroll, who was also convicted of having 'io taillight- upon his motorcar, was lined cs., and court costs 7s. • John Ward, for whom Mr. E. J. Fitzgibbon appoared, was charged with driving a two-horse wagon 011 to the Davis Street crossing on September 22 at a time when a train was approaching within half a mile. He was fined 205., and ordered to pay costs and expenses totalling £1 os. For breach of a prohibition order, Ellen Hawthorne (represented by Mr. H. F. O'Leary) was filled 205., with court costs 7s.

Messrs. Thomson, Brown, and East, Ltd., auctioneers and real estate agents, 174 Featherston Street, insert particulars of 81 acres and buildings which they have been instructed to offer on behalf of tho owner, who has enlisted. Lovers of chrysanthemums and other autumn flowers will be. interested to know that the EOutt Valley Horticultural Society intends holding an autumn show in April next. Classes for vegetables, fruit, pot plants, etc., have also been included in the schedule, which will bo issued shortly, and may bo obtained on application to the secretary.