MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Grey River Argus, 1 March 1927, Page 2

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

YLSTFIU- ■ ■ CASES. Mr W. Mcldrum, S.AL, presided at a criminal session of the Alagistrate's Court yesterday. George Aldridge, who had failed to return clothing, the property of the Defence Department, was ordered t<» pay costs 10/- and the value of the uniform 6/1, For a similar offence Richard J.i Le Cron was ordered to pay 10/- costs. I lie had already paid the value of the articles. Robert Leach, for allowing a horse to wander in Boundary Street was lined 10/- and costs 31/Charles Biss for riding a bicycle in I’aroa Road without a light was lined I 5/- ami costs 12/-. James Walter Aleade for leaving a motor vehicle without a light in High I Street was fined 5/- and costs 10/-. i After evidence had been heard, Rob-1 ert Culling (Mr J. W. Hannan) was adjudged the putative father of an mi-1 belli child, for the mother of which’ Air J. AV. Joyce appeared. Defendant was required to give a bond of £25 and one surety of £25 and to pay solicitor's! fee £3 3s. ‘ | BREACH OF AIACHINERY ACT. I Ala tt how Alichael Twomey was charged with driving a engine with a second-class certificate when a first-1 class certificate was required by law. Air Joyce who appeared for accused, said defendant was working at Brown’s Creek Alill and was ignorant that lu | v. as committing an offence. lie hadi been quite candid about it. Air Kitchingham, for tie* Inspector, said accused had been in charge of hte| engine from Alay to December. A fine of 10/- and costs £3 15s was imposed. ’ THEFT OF BICYCLE.

Thomas Hill, of Omoto, aged IS, pleaded guilty to the theft on December 20tli of a cycle valued at £2 10s, the

property of Ronald John AV illiams. son of the licensee of the Royal Hotel. Ronald John AVilliams, aged 15, said he left the bicycle in a right-of-way about 6.30 in the evening and it had disappeared next morning. He had igven no one authority to take the bike. Next day he saw accused riding it. Witness went to the phone and told them. He was positive it was his bicycle.

Constable Paddy, James Hill, am Detective Murch also gave evidence. The detective stated that accused explained tluft he found the bicycle in a shed at Omoto.

In reply to his Worship, accused said he did not wish to give evidence. Detective Alurch said nothing was known against accused who worked at

the State Aline. He had only been i the country a few months.

His Worship: You will be eonvieted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon within 12 months.” | MATCH IN A MINE. For carrying a match into the State Mine at Rewanui, Duncan Hill was fined 10/- and ordered to pay costs £3 3s. Defendant admitted that the match had been in his pocket but said he had been unaware that it was there. It must have fallen out of a box which he had had in his pocket previously. Mr Kitchingham for the prosecution remarked that there had been few prosecutions of this kind. At the same time offences against the regulations might be attended with very sei*.ous consequences and it was necessary that they should be strictly observed. It was the practice to search some of the men at the mine each day and in this ease a match had been found on the defendant. Safety lamps had been in use in the mine for three years. Counsel added that a heavy penalty was not being pressed for in the present case. The Magistrate observed that the regulations were designed to safeguard life and were accordingly strict. Tho offence was, however, no doubt due to an oversight.