MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 71, 18 December 1918, Page 7

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

POLICE CASES

ASSAULT UPON A STEWARD

Before Air. ¥. V. Frazer, S.Af., at the Magistrate's- Court yesterday, Walter Swift, chief steward of the s.s. Dorset, was charged with having assaulted an assistant steward named frederiek linlpli, belonging to the same vessel. The assault took place on board tho vessel on Alonday, and in his evidence the complainant stated I'lint the trouble arose through liis inability to set the saloon tables to the chief steward's liking. He was unable to do the work mil as he had not been employed in the saloon for some time. The chief steward told him'to. "wake up," and then struck him a blow on tiie face which rendered him insensible. Eor the defence it was contended that tho stewards were, not anxious lo remain on the vessel, and were giving trouble. Ralph was. somewhat under the iiillueiiec of 1 ii|nor, and when reprimanded he made use of very objectionable language. Kwilfc then struck Ralph, but drnie.il that Lie blow caused a wound. Ralph fell and struclc his face on the deck, and tins was responsible for the wound. Tho captain of the vessel said that the. chief steward was a. very competent man, but was somewhat hasty tempered. The. Magistrate said thorp appeared to have beeii some provocation, but. an ollicer had no right to strike a man. Iho defendant would be convicted and lined ,C!> and costs, Jβt of the fine to be paid to the complainant by way of compensation for his injuries. George Conrov was charged with drunkenness, committing an indecont act in Willeston Street, and a breach of h« prohibition order. He pleaded guilty to all charges, and ejected to bn dealt; with summarily on the second charge, for which offence he was convicted and ordered to be imprisoned till the rising of the Court. For drunkenness be was convicted mid discharged, and a iine of .tl'2 Willi costs, in default seven days m gaol, was imposed for the breach of his prohibition order. A 'domestic qii.-irrpl rpsulled in deorgc Hoesloy being charged with as-nuHing Alfred' liichard Duck. The. defendant pleaded guilty, the police evidence being to the effect that it was e ( into a trivia! affair. A conviction was entered, and a line of 10s. imposed. In answer to a charge of havii>- si den a pint, glass mug, the propeity of ..iiehael Koche, valued at Is. Gd., Owen I'rancid Moloney stated that he tools the mug because the barman of an hotel bad not ! tendered ■ the correct change when lie ordered a drinlc. :\s the circumstances were very trivial and the mug had been recovered' tho Magistrate dismissed the in" the casein which John .Tames Smith was charged with having, qn October Id last, received from Robert James Hardwood twelve silk handkerchiefs, valued at £1 Is. Bd., .the property of iiiittenvoiih Bros., woll knowing the same to have been dishonestly obtained, Chief-lMecfKO Hoddam'stated that Ilazelwood was .'waiting sentence .on the charge oi then. Smith admitted the offonee, and was convicted and fined JSS, in default one month's imprisonment. One month was allowed the accused in. which to nnd the money. . . Having four, previous convictions against, him for drunkenness, Ernest Edward Flowerdny was sent to the Koto lion Inebriates' Home for twelve months reformative treatment. James Ttcgister. alsp charged with drunkenness, was fined 10s'., in default 18 hours' imprisonment. For allowing a pony to wander, .Tames M'Laughlin was fined 10s., and ordered to pay 7s. costs.