MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 8, 5 October 1920, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

POLICE AND CIVIL BUSINESS

Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., dealt •with tho police. business at the Jlagißtrate'3 Court yesterday. A remand for a, week was granted in the case of Louiß Albert Joyce, who was charged with the theft of .an overcoat valued at £4 12s. 6d„ the property of Cecil Woodhouse. ' John Anthony Flanagan, who was found helplessly drunk in Waring Taylor Street oil September 2Z. :nd who was remaudul for medical treatu-jut, was convicted ai d ordered to pay 275. 6d. medical expenses, * A prohibition order was isaued against i him, to be effective for a period of 12 I months. Norman Jleidenstrom, a seafaring man (for whom ilr. H.'F. O'l.eary appeared), was charged with tie theft of a. cap, valued at 15s. 6d., the prcperty of Stanley Wilson. It was* stated that lleidenstrorn, when very drunk, went into a hairdrcßHiug saloon on tin Quay, where • a customer wan receiving attention, and another was awaiting hid turn. Ilcidtnstroin picked up the cap of the man , who was in the chair and walked away with it. There was no concealment of ' the act. After hearing the evidence, the Magistrate dismissed tho information, aB 1 there was no criminal intent, and the man was given a irood character by tho police. Heidcnstrom was, however, ordered to pay ss. costs. . MAINTENANCE CASES. .•• George Henry Dradley, who wafl in arrear to tho amount of £-1 10s. on a maintenance order, »as tentonced to a month's imprisonment, t) be released tn payment, of the mount owing. , John Bromley had a similar order made against him, the arrears in his case amounting to £8. irry liolls was ordered to'pay lea. per week for the maintenance of each of hiß two children. A CLAIM FOB, GOODS. James Cor, cf Wellington, Government messenger, proceeded against Miriam Dawson, wife of Duncan Dawson, to recover one pair if field glasses (value £10), and one plain gold wedding ring (value £3). The caßc waß ncard by Mr. J. S. Evans, S.M. Mr. A. 8., Sievwright appeared for the plaintiT, and Mr. H E. Anderson for the defendant. The plaintiff contended that the goodß were hia property and liad 1 een deposited with the defendant for iafe keeping, returnable on demand; and that though euch demand been made the goods had not betn returned. Plaintiff claimed the value of the goods if loiasssion could not be given. Counsel for the defence contended that .the plaintiff must bi nonsuited, as no p'roper demand had been made for tho return of tho goods. The evidence for the dcVyucc was taken in Whakataiie. The Magistrate held , that in anv case the demand made was not sufficient-, and nonsuited the plaintiff with costs. MOTOR COLLISION'CASE. Argument in the taee of Dunbar Sloane (Mr. 0. A. L. '.Creaawell) v. G. Hannah (Mr. P. B. Cooke) was concluded before Mr. J. S. -Evans, SM„ yesterday afternoon. The plaintiff claimed £70 18s. Sd., on the ground that, on August- 9, through , defendant's allcu'ed negligent driving and managing of a motor-ca," on the Hull Road, tho car collided with the car driven by plaintiff, causing damage which cost £46 18b. 9d. to repair. Thib aum the plaintiff claimed, also £24 for tho. loss of the use of the car for 24 dayß while under repairs. It was alleged that there were no headlights on the .defendant's ear. The plaintiff said he was driving about tho centre |of the road, swerved to avoid the defendant's car, and finished on. the wrong side ol' the road. The defence was that there was contributory negligence on the jjart of tho plaintiff, as he wad alleged to have been on the wrong 'Bide of tho road. Mr. Cooke quoted authorities to ehow that when driving at night the rule of the -road 6hould be strictly observed, and' never departed from,. He contended that' the defendant had complied with the statutory requirements, and although there were ho headlights on his car there were sidelights. It was admitted in the evidence for the plaintiff that the defendant was on his proper side of the road. The Magistrate reserved his decision.