MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 28, 27 October 1917, Page 7

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

POLICE CASES. Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, S.M., presided at the' Magistrate's Court yesterday. A plea of guilty was entered by Rohcrt Nelson to the charge that on October 2* ho did steal a slouch hat, pugaree, and badge, valued at lis., tho property of William Brickley, another soldier. Inspector Marsack said the case was a peculiar one. The accused went to th" complainant in his tent, and asked him to change hats, which request was declined. Later, when the complainant was out of the tent the hat was taken, and discovered, in the possession of the accused. He was convicted, and ordered to be handed over to the military authorities. • Henry Morrison, for whom Mr. J. b. Barton appeared, pleaded guilty to the charge' of supplying with liquor a member of the Defence Forces while in uniform. Mr. Barton esplained that defendant was a groom at the Remqnnt Camp at the Upper Hutt. Morrison and tho soldier were very old friends, and were drinking, and while in an inebriated condition lie complied with the request of his friend to get him some liquor. A fine of ifls. and costs was imposed, the alternative being twenty-one days' imprisonment. In reply to Inspector Marsack, the Magistrate said ho could not order the confiscation ot the liquor. , , Mr. H. F. O'Leary appeared for Thomas David Reynolds, who was chargled with using obscene language. Mr. O'Learv explained that some time ago Reynolds was crushed between two vehicles on the wharf, and had never fully recovered from the effects. He was mentally defective at times, especially when under the inhuonce of liquor. He was fined £i, in default one month's imprisonment, and a prohibition order was laaucd against him to be effective Tor a period of twelve months. . John Lloyd and Archibald James Bttil'd had a stand-up fight in Customhouse Quay on Thursday afternoon, and when a constable appeared on the scene they were having a willing go," said Inspector Marsack. They' were each costs, in default seven days' imprisonment. For insobrioty, three first ollenders were each fined 10s., with the alternative of twenty-four hours' imprisonment. \. fine of 40s. and costs was imposes on Charles Lansdowne for assaulting John Bailey.

BREACHES OF VEHICLE BY-LAWS. Clement Atkinson was fined 40s. and costs for driving his motor-car on the wrong side of the Hutt Road. For driving a vehicle without lights, Albert Dimocb was fined 20s. and costs. A fine of 10s. and costs was imposed on George Dyer for riding a motor-cycle at nn excessive speed in Kent Terrace. For Tiding motor-cycles without lights William Groenhalgs was fined 20s. and costs, and John Read, who was ablo to give a reasonablo excuse for tho offence, was convinced and discharged. • . Fred Sage, for having insufficient light on his vehicle, was fined 40s. and costs, and Clement J. Tonks, for having insufficient light on his motor-car, was fined 205. and costs. For driving his lorry on tho wrong Bido of the road, Mathew Summers was fined 10s. and costs. ■5 WANDERING STOCK. For allowing stock to wander. Chnrks H Bayliss was fined 40s. and costs; Charlfls Uichco.v, against whom there were fivo charges, was fined 40s. and costs 011 tho first charge, and on tho other lour charges he was convicted and ordored to oomo up for sentence when called npoi). Emil J. Johansson, against whom thoro wcro two charges, was lined 30s. and costs 011 each charge. James J. Moore was fined 20s. and costs, and Clarence Moore was fined 10s. and costs. John Sampson and William Telford were each fined 10s. and costs.

OTHER CASES. For evading payment of a tram [are, Albert Edward Biggs was lined 20s. and costs. Harry Lake, dairyman, Roseneath, was charged with selling milk containing 13 per cent, of added water. Mr. P. W. Jackson, who appeared for the defendant, said that every precaution was taken to see that the milk was up to the required etnndard. It was stated in evidence that the milk ca.mo from Whiteman's Valley, and reached tho city about

noon. Defendant himself look charpot the milk, aud on its removal to the dairy was tested with a lactometer, and then placed in coolers, consisting of troughs filled with water, where the cans remained until removed for delivery lo customers next morning. The can from which the sample was taken was tested in tho usual way, and found satisfactory, but next morning, when defendant again tested tho milk that romftiue<t in the can it was found to be below the standard. A small hole was found in the neck of tho can, and'it was surmised that while in the troujrh some of tiio water got through the hole. After hearing the evidence, the Magistrate recorded a conviction, and imposed a fine of .£25 and costs, in default two months' imprisonment.