MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2789, 6 June 1916, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

POLICE CASES. Mr. L. G. Reid.S.M., presided at the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, and heard the police cases. John Redmond O'Donoghue was. brought Up on remand for having broken, tho prohibition order issued- against him at X'etone on May 13. Tho evidence showed that the defendant, an old man, had illused his family, whoso lives had been made miserable by his cruel temper,, incited to worse conduct by inebriety. One d£ his sons deposed that his father had been a perfect nuisance in the home. The accused pleaded that he had not ill-treat-ed ,his children, but tho son gave instances of his' cruelty. Tho Magistrate said O'Donoghue was a frequent offender. There had been live convictions _ against him this year. It would bo doing him and his family good if ho were sent to Roto Roa Island for curative treatment for 12 months, and an order to that effect ivas accordingly made. Mr. M. Myers appeared for' Edward Ryan, who was charged with supplying liquor to a soldier in uniform, for consumption off tho premises. The statement by Mr. Myers of the case showed that the soldier was a total abstainer, and that Ryan had supplied him with tho liquor for a relative who was taking that liquor under medical advice, and had asked the soldier to procure it. Eyan had not sold tho liquor and Mr. Myers said the offence was a minor one, and asked His Worship to treat it as such. Mr.. Eeid observed that too much liquor was being, given away to soldiers in uniform,' and fined Ryan. 40s. and costs, including 12s. for a witness. MAINTENANCE CASES. For being in arrears with his wife's maintenance money to tho extent of <£15 10s., Michael Cooper' was ordered to pay £2.within a fortnight, or go.to gaol for thirty days. Mr. J. P. W. Dickson appeared on behalf of Mrs. Cecilia M'Naughton who applied for separation and maintfuance, on the grounds of persistent cruelty, from her husband, David JTNaughton, tailor. Mr. C. W. Nciiscn represented the defendant, who said, his wife 'was extravagant and incurred debts which' ho was unable to pay. Ho had given his wife all his earnings, save a few shillings. He had a son at the war, and two daughters —one of whom was married. He denied that he had been cruel, hut he had not spoken to his wife for twelve moiithe. His Worship 6aid this was one of. these deplorablo cases wherein disagreements between a man and his wife arose after they had been married a long time, and brought up a family'. It was, however, not so grievous a case that it was impossible of mutual arrangement, and in order that that might be accomplished ho would adjourn the caso for _ fourteen days in the hope that the parties would come together. IE they did not it would be for the Court to decide. BROKEN AGREEMENT. Having'signed on as a baker on board His Majesty's troopship Maunganui, ■James Fraser left the ship at Port Chalmers and came on to Wellington where his wife and family lived. ' This was a violation of his agreement. Mr. H. F. O'Leary, who appeared for Eraser, pleaded guilty to the charge, but explained that his client had already made, a voyage in the ship. He had a week's leave and failed to rejoin the ship and resume his duties. His reason for this conduct was that his wife was in a delicate state of health, and had two infants (15 months and three weeks old' respectively) to look after. His Worship sympathised with aecused ,and inflicted a nominal fine of £1. OTHER CASES. . For entering a hotel while being under a prohibition order, Ethel M'Laughlin, alias Butler, was fined .£2, or in default one month's imprisonment, and for assaulting Constable Cox in the discharge of his duty the accused was further fined 10s., in default 6even days' imprisonment. , Two', charges—one of drunkenness and tho other of being "a rogue Slid a vagabond"—were mnele against Annie Smith, alias Summerley, who pleaded not guilty. Tho evidence of the police was conclusive and for drunkenness she was fined 105.,in default 6even days' imprisonment; and on tho other cliargc 405., or one month's imprisonment. A man named Robert Ross, for stealing a walking-stick, valued at 7s. Gd.. the property of James Walker, was convicted and ordered to pay Js. witness' expenses. Ethel M'Jvearnan, described as an idle and disorderly person, was ordered to the Salvation Army Home on remand for one week.