MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 694, 20 December 1921, Page 5

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

HON DAY'S SITTING. / ;• ' ''' ' (Before Mr E>. W. Burton, S.M.) BEHAVIOUR IN RAILWAY CAR- ' RIAGE. ! CASE DISMISSED. James Pirret was charged that on November 15th, between Paerata and Pukekohe he behaaved in a violent manner, td the annoyance of others in a railway carriage on the Auckland- Frankton train. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Archie Blake, assistant schoolteacher, said that on the date in question he joined the train at Papakura. Two men were talking, one of them, who was wearing a brown suit, was using seditious language, and stated the British flag had never done any good for him. He said that a man who saluted the flag got on, but the others were crawlers. He asked defendant’s opinion, and Pirret said “Quite right.” The other fellow stood up and asked Pirret what he knew about it, and used bad language;. Pirret objected 'to the language, and the other man deliberately used the language again, He then challenged Pirret to standi up and fight, and Pirret sajid he would not fight in a railway carriage. The fellow then wanted to smooth matters over. Another man who had a blue suit on, told Pirret he did not want to hear Pirret’s opinion on such matters. This man sat down and the man in the brown suit challenged Pirret to prove he was British born. Pirret stood up and the other man shaped up and struck a blow but missed. Pirret caught him and threw him on to the floor. The fellow in the blue suit again intervened, and hit Pirret a blow across the face. Pirret then took to the latter. The train arrived at Pukekohe and Pirret called a police officer. Colin McArthur, a student at the Technical College, gave corrobative evidence.

The Magistrate said that from the evidence Pirret was not to blame, and he dismissed the charge..

POSSESSION OF UNREGISTERED

FIREARMS.

Ernesr Appleby pleaded guilty to a charge of being in posseession of a Remington repeater rifle for a period of more than on month without having same registered. He explained that he was not the owner but had the weapon left in his possession by a nephew who went to the front. A fine of £1 and costs 7s was imposed. Time Tukiri was convicted and fined £1 for failing to register a double-barrelled shotgun and a pea rifle». He was ordered to pay Court costs amounting to £l.