MARA MAGISTRATES COURT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 26 June 1901, Page 4

MARA MAGISTRATES COURT.

Tuesday, Junk 25m

(Before Messrs Aitken and Benyon.)

Police v. E. Spiers, charged with riding a bicycle on the footpath in Seddon street contrary to the Borough by-laws. Mr. Murdock for defendant pleaded “ not guilty.” Constable McKenzie swore to seeing defendant commit the breach complained of. Mr Murdoch contended that all the bye-laws of the Borough of Kumara are ultra vires, and further there is no proof before the Court to show that the bye-laws bad been adopted. He quoted Justice Connoly in a case at Auckland where His Honour decided that whereas the fine had to be paid over to the Borough so only an officer of the Boroughs could bring the charge on. Their 'Worships dismissed the case on the latter ground.but severely condemned the practice of riding on a footpath as being dangerous.

Police v Gregory Henham for using insulting language to a party in a public place. This case was heard with closed doors, the court having been cleared previously. Constable McKenzie and another witness were called to substantiate the charge, and two other witnesses as to the general character of accused and relating to misconduct on other occasions. Their Worships convicted accused, fining him 10s and costs, or in default seven days imprisonment, and also bound him over to keep the peace, himself in £lO, and two sureties m the same sum each.