MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2661, 5 January 1916, Page 2

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

— T* Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., was on tho bciicli at yesterday's sitting of the Magistrate's Court. Tiie cases j'or hearing included that in which a young Chinaman, named All Yow, was charged with being found m possession of 117 tins of opium in a form suitable., for smoking. Through au interpreter, tho accuscd admitted coming ashore from the steamer Ocean Monarch with the opium in his possession, but he pleaded ignorance of the law. The Magistrate was not satisfied with the explanation, and accused was convicted, fined £25, and ordered to pay the interpreter's feo 10s. fid. Tlis master of the Ocean Monarch intimated that tire accused's financial position would enable him to meet tlie fine. Joseph Thurston was remanded for a. week on a charge of absenting himself from the steamer .Kia Ora without leave; llobort M'Cltire' was convicted and discharged for drunkenness, but for-as-saulting the arresting constablo he was lined 405., the alternative being seven days' imprisonment. Charges of using threatening' behaviour in Maimers Street were preferred aginst Ernest Marsh and "William James Smith. The latter was convicted ■ and discharged, but Marsh was fined 10s., in default to undergo 48 hours' imprisonment. For drunkenness, John George was fined 405., and Michael Martin 205., the respective, alternatives being seven days' imprisonment and three days' imprisonment. . Mary M'Kegney, on a charge of drunkenness, was remanded for a week for curative treatment; Four first-offenders were leniently dealt with. Horace Graham Rutter, who had been, found in a state of helpless ucss on the Hutt Road on Christinas Eve, was ordered to pay 17s. Gd., tho expenses incurred in. connection ' with his treatment in gaol. Subsequently' the accused's wife (Elizabeth .Rutter) , applied for a separation order against him, Oil the ground of habitual drunkenness. Complainant was about to outer tho witness-bos whon Butter intimated that he would consent to the order, which was made accordingly. Custody of the three children was ; granted to the wife, who did not ask for maintenance.