MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2856, 22 August 1916, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

LIVING ON HIS MOTHER Mr. L. G. Reicl, S.M., presided at yesterday's sitting of the Magistrate's Court. According to Inspector Hendrey, Arthur Herbert Howell, a well set-up man, who was charged with being an idle and disorderly person, had been living on his mother (who is SO years of age) for practically the last twelve months. Things had now become so bad that tho mother had found it impossible to keep, the son any longer. According to evidence given by two policemen, Howell had done no work at all during the last month, and little or no work for the past nine months. He had been iu the,- habit of "sparring for beer" in the Mount Cook district. His Worship convicted and discharged accused, on a charge of drunkenness, and sentenced him to a month's imprisonment on the major charge. CONVICTED FOR TRESPASS. James William Murdoch Ross appeared to answer a charge of having trespassed on' his wife's premises during the currency of a separation order. Mr. P. W. Jackson, who appeared for complainant, explained that these proceedings had been taken under the Destitute Persons' Act as far back as Janu-

ary, during the currency of a separation order, but defendant could not be found. Mr. Jackson wont on to explain that he did not wish to press the case, and lie ivould not tender any evidence against defendant, provided the latter ivoulu consent to leave his wife alfllie. His Worship told Ross that he was liable to a fine of ,£2O or three months' imprisonment, but if he would give the promise asked for by counsel, lie would be convicted and discharged.- To this course defendant agreed, and a conviction was entered. MISCELLANEOUS CASES. _ For insobriety Susan Kirby was fined 55.,-in default 48 horn's' detention. Annie Smith, for a, similar offence, was fined 2Us., the alternative being fixed at three days' imprisonment. Lilian Jukes, who was charged with having wilfully damaged a pane of glass valued at 10s., strenuously denied having been near the vicinity in Martin Street, She was also charged with drunkenness and told the Magistrate that she had only just come out of prison on Saturday, and at the time the alleged offences were bein'g committed she was seeing the soldier boys off. Inspector Hendrey said that Jukes had over 10 previous convictions against her, mostly for drunkenness. His Worship fined her lOs., in default three' days' imprisonment for drunkenness, and she was convicted and ordered to pay 10s., the amount of damage caused to the window. Default in the latter case was fixed at 6even days' detention. Percy I'ascoe, for having committed a grossly indecent act, was fined 20s. If he fails to pay the amount ho will have to undergo seven days 'imprisonment. A returned Maori soldier was charged with having assaulted Thomas H. Thompson, and also with having used obscene language. The assault was described as one of trivial nature. Inspector Hendrey said that accused had been to the front, and was still under treatment. His previous character had been good and his appearance in Court was due to an over-indulgence in liquor. His Worship told accused that he had better leave the drink alone in future, and merely entered a conviction against him and discharged him on .condition that lie paid .4s. witness's expenses. An order was made to hand'him' over to the military authorities. ' MAINTENANCE ORDERS. For disobeying a maintenance order, the arears of which had amounted to ;£4 lis., James Lucas was ordered to pay the amount forthwith or go to gaol for 14 days. ; _His Worship ordered that nnless Thos. Hodges pays JI2 off arrears ,in respect of a maintenance order amounting to ,£B, within one week, and ss. per week thereafter, he will be sent to prison for 14 days. . Bernard M'Kenna was ordered to pay 15s. per week towards the support of his wife, and ss. per week towards the maintenance of each of his. two infant children. The wife was granted a separation order, and also the custody of the children. AFFILIATION CASE. The hearing of a case in which a young girl, aged 19, who had been employed aa a waitress at a - restaurant, proceeded against a Greek named Dennis Booluris for an affiliation, order,-occupied the attention of the Court for the greater part of the afternoon. • Subsequently His Worship dismissed the case without prejudice.-