MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2610, 4 November 1915, Page 11

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Mr. D. G; A. Cooper, S.M., heard the oases in the Magistrate's Court yesterday. All old offender named John Chambers pleaded guilty to tho theft of £2, the money of W. R. Langley, who was in 0 drunken condition when tiie money was taken from his purse, and who (according to the police report) knew nothing about the theft. The Magistrate fined Chambers £2, the alternative being one month's imprisonment.

Albert Cole, for whom Mr. T. M. Wilford appeared, was. remanded until November 10 on charges of theft of a motor-cycle, valued at £50, and theft of a bicycle, valued at £5. Bail was allowed in the sum of £50.

A remand until November 10 was also granted in the case against Walter Anderson, *vho is charged with using obscene language and with assault, causing actual bodily harm. Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh, who appeared for the accused, applied for bail, which was granted in the sum of £50.

F. Bolton, for whom Mr. T. M. Wilford appeared, pleaded guilty to a charge of indecent assault, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Bail was renewed in the sum of £100.

Richard Hamilton, charged with drunkenness, was remanded for curative treatment. Thomas Withers, who was appearing for the third time in six months to answer a charge of drunkenness, was fined 205., in default to undergo three days' imprisonment. Three first-offending inebriates were also dealt with.

Iu our report yesterday of the judgment delivered in tlie Magistrate's Court in the case of Hunt, Cottrell and Co., v. Sutherland and Rankine, it was made to appear that the defendants had succeeded on the counterclaim for £60, whereas the judgment Tvas in favour of Munt, Cottrell and Co,, who also obtained judgment (by consent) ot the claim for £47 12s. 6d. and costs. LOWER HUTT COURT FAILING TO ATTEND PARADE. Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., presided at the monthly sitting of the Lower Hutt Court held yesterday. , Messrs. J. Cudby and J. Wilkin were also on the bench, James C. Barnard was fined 55., with 7s. costs, in default seven days' military detention, for failing to attend parade on October 4. Barnard was convicted and discharged for a similar offence on October 18. Lionel W. Candere, for failing to attend parade on October 14, was fined 10s., .with, costs 75., or seven days' military detention. A similar charge against. Daniel Francis Neill was dismissed, and two charges against Syd. Geo. Bowers were adjourned till December 1. Sergt.-Major Stewart represented the Defence Department. . / POSSESSION OF TENEMENT. Mrs. Maud Westward sought to recover from Ernest Jessop, the sum of 14s. (rent), and possesion of a house occupied by him at Alicetown. Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. J. O'Leary for defendant. Plaintiff stated in evidence that she had sold out a business in otder to live. in the Hutt district, and consequently she required the house herself. She had given defendant five weeks' notice, and had raised the rent to 305.. Her husband had offered to compensate defendant for certain improvements, and no arrangement had been made as to tenancy. Ernest Jessop claimed that, having spent money and labour on the place .during the twelve weeks he had been in 'occupation, and being .given to understand that he could remain there for 6ome time, he was _ entitled to more .than oho week's notice. He had been told that he could pay the rent weekly, fortnightly, or.monthly, kid there- was no agreement as to a. weekly tenancy. Mr. Jackson said ib must have been clear to defendant that Mrs. Westwood might want the house at any time,' as she had' told him she might not requiro it for years, and might want it at any' time.

In giving judgment, tho Magistrate stated that tlie position was practically that defendant was occupying the house on a monthly tenancy, and judgment would be given for defendant. No order was made as to costs.

ALLEGED NEGLECT OF CHILDREN. Richard White, who was represented by Mr. J. J. M'Grath, pleaded not guilty to a charge of neglecting his children. From the evidence it ajipeared that defendant, who was a widower, had beiih living in a tent at Nai Nai with his three children—two girls aged fourteen and eleven years, ,m<l ah infant boy four months old. Constables Cameron and Holmes stated that- White had lived in a tent with three children near the Taita cemetery, for about twelve months. There were no conveniences, but there were no signs of sickness. Richard' White, stated that the tent contained two beds, a bread receptacle, three, cliairs, ,a table, dressing-table. Sand plenty of blankets. A woman had beeri attending to tho infant, and the Children's health had improved considerably.,' Helen Reesby gave evidence as to attending the. iihild. The Magistrate, said that the Courtconsidered ths evidence was insufficient to convict.defendant, but'he should remove tho children as soon as possible. CIVIL CASES. Judgment,was given for plaintiff • by default jn tho following undefended civil cases: —Commissioner of Taxes v. William Jones, 18s. 4d., with costs 155.; Thomas Burt v. E. J. Christie, £4 95., | costs 55.; Hutt River Board v. William Jones, £1 15s. Bd., costs los. ; Edmond J. Duggan v. E. It. Martin, 14s. 6d., costs as. >