LOWER HUTT COURT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2685, 3 February 1916, Page 7

LOWER HUTT COURT

The monthly sitting of the Lower Hutt Magistrate's Court was held yesterday, Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., presiding. Messrs. J. Wilkin and J. Oudby, J.P.'s, were also on the bench.

Henry Rowell, manager of tho King George Picture Theatre, Lower Hutt, was proceeded against for holding a picture entertainment on Christmas without haviDg first obtained the written consent of the Hutt Borough Council. Mr. E. P. Bunny appeared for the council, and Mr. R. ,C. Kirk for tho defence. In outlining the facts of the case, Mr. Bunny stated that on December 22 an application was received from the manager of the theatre, but that such'application was too lato to be considered at the council's meeting, which ivas held on the 21st. Consequently a letter was sent, on tho authority of the Mayor, stating \hat as the application had , been too late it 'would be refused in accordance vith previous resolutions. SMr. Kirk submitted that such refusal was insulficient, and that it roust como from the council, aud inasmuch as the council had not considered the matter, his client thought himself justified in proceeding with the entertainment. Moreover, the Mayor's letter was not received by defendant until the evening of the 24th, too late to cancel the arrangement 'previously made in anticipation of permission being granted. It was admitted that no objection could bo taken to the class of pictures shown.. Tho Magistrate held that a breach of tho Act had taken place, as definite written consent had to be obtained, and imposed a fine of 405., with 28s. costs. Roland Ferguson, Geo. (Silley, and W. C. Young were each fined 55.. with 7s. costs, for riding bioycles without lights. _ Upon a similar charge, and also for riding a bicycle on the footpath, Geo. M'Dougall was fined 55., with 7s. costs, in each case. The following owners of motor-cars were fined 20s. each, with costs IBs. 6d., for exceeding the speed limit within tho Lower Hutt borough on the race days of October 23 and 25:—Arthur Pettman, F. G. Street, J. A. Leggott, Clias. Barrington, A. P. Ward, A. W. Cameron, H. Martindale, W. M. Shan'd, A. Whyte' and R. W. Bothamlcy. Gladys Curtis, on two charges, and A. M. Myers were in each case fined 20s. and 17s. 6d. costs. A. "W. Cameron, for a second offence, which occurred on the same day as the previous charge, was ordered to pay 17s. 6d. costs. Harold Brown, on two charges, was fined, on one 20s. and 18s. (xl. costs, and on tho second 20s. and 17s. 6d. costs. Judgment by default was given in the following civil cases:—John Babbington v. J. M. Arroll, £13, 15s. costs ; Hnrry V. Westbur.v v. Geo. King, £1 ss. 6d., and ss. costs; same v. Percy Grainger, 195., and os. costs; same v. P, "H, Gosse, £1 lis'., and ss. costs; shuic v. G. Parker. £0 35,, and 85. costs.