MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2743, 11 April 1916, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., presided at the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, and heard the following cases; Lawrence Larkin, chief cook on the steamship Somerset, proceeded against J. Ross, chief refrigerating engineer of the vessel, for assault. Larkin con. ducted his own case, and Mi'. H. F, O'Leary appeared for accused. The trouble arose over a schnappcr. The fish had been caught at Napier by a man who had been temporarily working on board the Somerset. Larkin • had been asked to put it in the cooling chamber till the vessel's arrival at Wellington. "When the Somerset reached Wellington the chief cook in. [ structed the butcher to bring the fish from the refrigerator. It was then that Ross, in his official capacity, or. tiered the butcher not to enter the chamber. This information was canvcyod to the chief cook, and he insisted that the butcher should bo allowed to obtain the fish. An argument then arose between Larkin and Ross, and in the heat of the moment Ross struck Larkin, and admitted doing so under provocation. In giving his_decision, Mr. Cooper 6aid that, in his opinion, Larkin had no right to send for the fish a second time when the man who had charge of the Somerset's refrigerating machinery had given instructions for the chamber not to be opened. On the other hand, Ross had no right to strike Larkin. Under, the circumstances, His Worship ordered Ros6 to pay the cost of the prosecution and witnesses' expenses. POLICE CASES. Julia Sphultz, for whom Mr. H. F, O'Loary appeared, pleaded not guilty to being ah incorrigible vogiie. After bearing evidence, His Worship said that lie would give the accused a chance, mid ordered her to come up for sentence when called upon. John M'Allistcr and William Smith ivero fined 10s. for drunkenness, the alternative being 48 hours' imprisonment. For a similar offence, Andrew Somer* \vilie.was mulcted in a penalty of 205., or, in default, nhree days in gaol. 1 Seven first offenders were dealt with 1 In the usual manner.

For using threatening behaviour in Manners Street, thereby causing a breach of the peace, Harry .Fitzroy-was lined 205., or, in default, three days' imprisonment. ' Inspector Rohdrey stated that further charges might be ponding against Fitzroy, on account of certain remarks which he is alleged to hav,© made about the war. A very old man named Alfred Musgiave was charged with, having attempted to comlnit suicide at Levin. Inspect Lor Hendrey stated that tho accused had lost a son about twelve months ago through a motor-car accident, and that this had preyed on the old mail's mind. A remand was granted till Mon-

day next, and during the interval Muagravc is to be fp'ven medical treatment, and inquiries will be made for the pui-

pose of endeavouring to place him in a receiving home. A further remand was granted till j this morning in case of William Jensen and David Patterson, charged with tho theft of four bottles'of whisky, valued at £1 6s. MAINTENANCE OASES. Ernest Henry George Solway, a wharf labduror, was charged with disobeying u maintenance order in- respect of his child, the arrears amounting to £1410s. The Magistrate orderel defendant to pay Bs. per week maintenance and 2s. in respect of tho arrears. If the order is\ not obeyed, Solway will have to undergo imprisonment for fifteen days. A returned soldier named John Gordon Was ordefed to 'pay the sum of 12s. per week towards the support of his two children, who are in a Presbyterian homo in Nelson. As the arrears amounted to £14 10s. 6d., ho was ordered to pay Bs. per week towards. IV qutdatftig the debt. ' The alternative was fixed at 15 days' imprisonment. Joseph" William Cocker, a. signalman ou ff.M.S. Philomel, was ordered to pay 7s.'fid. towards the maintenance of his child. '

TROUBLE OVER A SCHNAPPER