MAGISTRATES COURT.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1923, Page 4

MAGISTRATES COURT.

GREYMOUTII. October 29. CHARGE OF OBSTRUCTION. Jane Willoughby, of Cobdcn, a married woman, pleaded not guilty, to a charge of obstructing the Inspector of Health (Mr G. H. Russell) in the execution of his duty. After hearing evidence, the Magistrate warned defendant that she was liable to a penalty of £2O and the case had been .taken against her as a warning. Tie would take into consideration that the defendant had a- family of six children to support and would inflict a nominal penalty of os with costs. OBSCENE LANGUAGE. A charge of obscene language was preferred against John Knox, Runanga, (Mr. AY. J. Joyce), who pleaded guilty. The offence was stated by the police to have taken place in the presence of a woman. lie was drunk at the time. The Magistrate said that accused’s record was not good. Tie had convictions for drunkenness. The fact that he had apologised was a point in his favour. Defendant would be convicted and lined C'2, with costs. SHEER RETURNS DELAYED.

William Hannah, miner, of Waiting and formerly the holder ol a section at Ahaurn under the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act, was charged that within the space of six months, at Ahanra. being the former owner of sheep within the sheep district of Westland, and having within 12 months since he made his lasi return of sheep ceased to he an owner, neglected to deliver or cause to Ik; delivered a return to tin l effect that he no longer owned sheep, and to give the name, occupation and address of the purchase/of such sheep. Defendant pleaded not guilty and said that lie had sent in the returns. Chaifies Melville, stock inspector, stated that the returns were not forwarded to him in the specified time, although lie uas notified. The returns were sent, hut much too late. The defendant said that he did not know until notified that no had to send in returns of sheep. He had sent in returns the previous year, hut did not know he was required to make return? alter having sold out.

Tile Magistrate said that ii was not unnatural for the defendant to assume that having disposed of the land, he did not have to make returns. The Department. however, had been pul to a good deal of trouble and expense. Defendant would be convicted and order-

ed to pay costs. IiACEAOI'RSE BARBED. John Joseph McGrath, a miner of Bewanui was charge that on lietoher 22ucT.. at Groyrmuith, being a person excluded fiom the Greymoutii Trotting Club’s racecourse during a race meeting. he did enter such racecourse, while the same was being used for a race meeting. Detective .1. B. Young gave evidence of having found the defendant on the course. Defendant was disqualified from visiting the course as he had a conviction of assault against him. Detective Newman had prevmisl.v warned defendant to get off, and when witness repeated the warning, lie asked for permission to see his wife. Witness said ho hail already had an hour. Be watched the defendant for about ten minutes afterwards. He was standing 111 front of the totalisator. making apparently no effort to leave. The defoliant- said that Detective Newman had allowed him time i n tile entir-.e to see his wife. He gave no trouble and left the course .soon after. He knew lie was not cm it led to he on

the course, hut n v. n.> the first time he had been warned tdf a course, al though lie had attended meetings all over Non Zealand. "I can't accept -eiiou-ly the explanation of the defendin' that he 'acut to the course to see his uuc," said the Magistrate. Defendant had been seen \> niching the totalisator and was on the inside enclosure. Evidently he was there to enjoy the races. It was not often that a case of the kind came before him, and lie would not inflict aheavy penalty. Defendant would be convicted and lined 10s with co-ts.