MAGISTRATE'S COURT, HOKITIKA

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1921, Page 1

MAGISTRATE'S COURT, HOKITIKA

THURSDAY, MAY 12th

(Before H. W. Bundle Esq., S.M.)

WELCOME TO BENCH

Mr Park said lie had been asked by members of the Bar to welcome his Worship to Westland. He trusted that his stay in the district would be a pleasant one. They had been unfortunate in having many changes in the members of the Bench during the last year, but on the other hand they had been lucky in that the occupants had been of a very high order. He trusted that his stay in this district would be a pleasant one, and that the best of relations would always exist. Mr Bundle said he appreciated very deeply the very kind welcome extended to him by Mr Park on behalf of the Bar. It certainly was a privilege to come to the Coast, especially on such a day as to-day.. Yesterday his impressions were the opposite but he felt that was not a typical West Coast day. He hoped that during his stay the relations between the Bar and Bench would be of the most amicable nature, and that when the time came for him to leave that they would be able to say he had weighed all matters that came before him fairly as against one another. He thanked them for their welcome. WANDERING CATTLE.

Borough Inspector (Mr Park) charged the following with allowing cattle to wander, contrary to the bye-law and convictions and fines were recorded as follows:—J. Myers 2 cows, fined 10/and costs 7/-; F. Thompson, 1 cow, fined 10/- and costs 7/-; T. Devaney, 2 cow’s, fined 15/- and costs 7/-; H. Sweney, 1 cow’, fined 15/- and costs 7/-; J. Cameron 1 heifer, convicted and ordered to pay costs 7/-; <H. Butland, 2 cows, fined 15/- and costs 7/-; R. Peril am 1 cow, fined 10/- and costs 7/-; T. Stopfort h 2 cows, fined 15/- and costs 7jS Kortegast, 3 horses, fined 15/- and costs 7/-. C. Nightingale, charged with allowing 2 cows to wander pleaded they were not bis property and the case was adjourned till next Court day. licensing act. The police charged four defendants „with being on licensed premises (Southland Hotel) during prohibited hours. Three did not appear and were convicted and fined 40/- and costs 7/- each. The other defendant’s explanation of the circumstances was accepted, and the charge was dismissed. Police charged two defendants with being on licensed premises (Marquis of Lome Hotel) after hours. Convictions were entered and fines of 20/- and costs 7/- each inflicted.

Same v. three offenders charged with lieing on licensed premises (Club Hotel) during prohibited hours. One did not appear and was fined 40/-, and costs 7 /-. Same v. an offender, a charge of being on licensed premises (Dunedin Hotel) on Anzac Day. Convicted and fined 20/- and costs 7/-. Same v. an offender a eharge of being on licensed premises (Southland Hotel) on Anzac Day. The explanation of (he defendant was accepted and the charge dismissed. UNLIGHTED BTCYCLE,

The Police charged P. A. K‘dd with riding a bicycle at 11.30 p.m. on 23rd. April without a light. Convicted and fined the costs 7/-. MILITARY SERVICE.

Lieut. K. R. Robertson v. A. L. Head a charge of failure to attend parade. Fined 10/- in default 48 hours detention.

On similar charges, E. Stewart was convicted and fined costs 7/-; Jas. Devaney . convicted and fined 20/- and costs 7s, in default 7 days; R. M. Jones, convicted and fined 10/- .and costs, in default, 48 hours. A DEFENDED CHARGE.

Police v. B. O’Connor, licensee of Southland Hotel, (Mr Sellers) a charge of supplying liquor on April 23rd. after hours. A plea of guilty was entered, an explanation of the circumstances being made by counsel. To a further charge of selling liquor, on Anzac Day, a plea of not guilty was entered.

Senior Sergt. McCarthy conducted the case for-the pjrosecution.

Mr Sellers admitted that the liquor was supplied but claimed it was given by tho attendant. Sergt. King gave evidence that he visited the Southland Hotel on Anzac Day. Found three men in a room who acknowledged that they had been supplied with liquor by Miss o‘Connor. The latter stated she bad supplied the liquor and that she had shouted for them. The three men stated that Miss O’Connor lilWl shouted for them. He had no reason to doubt the statements made

To shorten the proceedings Mr Sellers put Catherine O’Connor in the box who deposed on Anzac Day morning, the painter who had leave to renovate Hie bar the previous day came in to see if the work was dry Shouted for him and two others who c amo in she had also shouted for them. One had brought in a parcel from Rimu. Nothing was paid for tlio drinks.

John. Wallace Jr. deposed he was a painter. He varnished the bar counter on the Sunday morning by permission. Went in next day to see how the work stood. When going out Miss O’Connor shouted for him. Then two others came in and Miss O’Connor shouted for them. No money was paid for any of the drinks. His Worship said the circumstances were very suspicious, but he felt that the case had not been proved, and the charge of selling would be dismissed. On the charge of supplying liquor after hours on 23rd. April a conviction was entered, a fine of £3 and costs 7/-.

OTHER CHARGES. The police charged two defendants with being on licensed premises (Southland Hotel) on Anzac Day. One defendant was convicted and fined 20s and costs 7s, and the case against the other was dismissed. AIDING AND ABETTING. Police v. William Hall, licensee of Dunedin Hotel (Mr Murdoch) a charge of aiding and abetting a person to be on the hotel on Anzac Doy. A plea of not guilty was entered. Sergt McCarthy stated that the defendant was found in a sitting room talking to the other person who was unlawfully on the premises at the time. He held the licensee committed ti e offence by allowing the person to stay there. Sergt King gave evidence that on tho morning of Anzac Day he visited tho Dunedin Hotel. In a room immediately behind the bar he found four men, one being the licensee and two others boarders. The facts were admitted by Mr Murdoch. William Hall deposed he was the licensee of the Dunedin Hotel. Had i seen the Anzac Day procession and gone out to the hack. When he came back he saw three men in the front room. This was a minute or so before the police came in. Had no conversation with Pascoe. His rent was due each Monday morning. He served no drink to them. Pascoe was not there when he went out of the room the first time. His Worship said in this case he had no doubt that the licensee could not be convicted on the charge of aiding and abetting, on the evidence given. The information would be dismissed.