MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 August 1924, Page 1

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. ti. (Before IV. Mehlruni, Ksg.. 5.. M.) AN UNFORTUNATE CASE.

William IL Aitken was charged with being a rogue and vagabond, anil pleaded guilty. Sergt. King said it wits a diliicult. ease and he did not know what was the best course to pursue. He was undoubtedly not lit to he ill, large. Defendant pleaded he was suffering from the result of shell shock.

Ilis Worship said his record was mil ii good one. and he was not lit to heat large. Defendant would he sentenced to six months imprisonment. DEPOSIT OF SAWDUST. Inspector of Fisheries (Mr Lark) v. Diggers Sawmill Coy., Ltd (Mr Wells) a charge of allowing sawdust and sawmill refuse to How into the Hokitika river. A plea of'guihy was mitered. Mr Park said the Gin eminent. Inul gone to :t large amount of expense lo in t lodtu-e li-h into the rivers. who!' the sawdust injured and intorlered with. This was a warning ease to done ustrale the position ol the law. The Department notified that one Company he proceeded against, with a view to demonstrating that the deposit of sawdust mu-1 stop by the end c.l December. The fishermen for trout and

.salmon were up in arms against the deposit of sawdust, lie only asked for a nominal penally. Ilis A\ orsliip said he would treat it as it test case and inllict a tine'ol 2Rs with co-l~ is and counsels fee L'J Js. DEI IT CASES.

Commissioner ol Crown Lands (Mr Park) v. M. Fitzgerald, claim l'll> 12s. Judgment for plaintill with costs IXi. Same v. Charles .1. Lawrence, claim g; ,- >s p„l. Judgment for plaintill' with ,-o-ts Cl 17s (id.

Same v. S. Smith, claim CL Judgment for plaintiif for Cl IDs with costs (!!-.

Police v. Daniel Ryan (Mr Murdoch licensee of AH Nation- Hotel. Rimtt. of inc iting a per-on to unlawlolly miter the premi-es during prnI'ihiled hours. A plea of not guilty was entered. C, nstahle Randall gave evidence that i,l„mt ILIA a.m. on Sunday. July mb. vi, ill'll All Nations Hotel. Alter some til,,- t'v door was unlocked. Saw two ,nm, in a room. One made an excuse that wa- accepted. Tlie licensee know both men wme in the hotel. Did not bear any conversation between Coii.-l. Drummond and the licensee until all t tlee front deer v a - unlocked. LICENSING ACT. Daniel Rvan depo-.-d I'.o wa- lu-en-ee of the AH Nation- Hotel Itimil. On the morning in t|i:e'-lmn lie wa- 111 1,,( har cleaning it »H* " k ) V! '" locked. 'Lite rrunt ih "r w - -'*»*»■ not locked. Via- told d>" '- 11 ' Were at th • ha-k .l-.'.r an;' lei Con-table Drummond in. He sad he wa- doing to search every mi m in the lioii-e. lie did - with witm--. When tln.-v went to th" trout '.<»»• ■ v.e.- not leeke L In the Lent . min there were two imoi. H'cl not know in-in wa- in tie mom til! the < -'i-.-‘loble went into tl:e mom and -an him. John Maloney gave cvidcm e. I" ' " sided at Rimii. lie wet into .~' m-t,-l l,v the front door. It was situ not locked. Did "'it Uyan all ate constable came along. Hi- Worship said it was m-rc--arv m prove knowledge <n the part ol the Ijeeusee. and this had not’ hec-n pruvccl. The <•:’s* would be dismiss'd. another cask dismissed. Tho p dire charged two men worn being on licensed premises G’"-i Olfire Hotel) after hours, who pleacmd not guilty. . , ~i Sergt King gave evidence that U visited, the Post nir.ee lloieL Heard a scramble and went upstairs a.ml saw the two defendant- in a -itting mom with a heartier. One said he bad Leen invited in and the "titer said lie had walked in. The hoarder -aid he had invited, one in and tit" other had < "me in with him. After the two men had given evidence in support oi then' claim that they were the guests of the hoarder, hi- Worship stated lie thought the police had tailed to prove theii c.i-e and the charges would he dismissed. OTHER CHARGES.

The palic-e charged a Rimu resident with being in the All Nat iota Hotel, p,jinn, after hours, without lawful excuse. Mr Murdoch for defendant pleaded not guilty, staling it was admitted lie was on the hotel, hut that lie had a lawful excuse for being theie. After hearing defendant hi- \\ or-hip accepted the explanation and dismissed the charge. ' Two residents of Rimu were charged with being o" lic’en'-ed premises lAl| Nations Hotel. Rimub One pleaded guilty hy Mr Murdoch and tlie other did not appear. Both were fined 20s and costs 7s each.