MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1925, Page 4

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

RAILWAY HY-i.i'.V. GREYAIOFTH, August 11. At the .Magistrate's Court yesterday John Liddell Teunent was charged with a- breach of the Railway by-laws, at Hokitika on July Hi. Air F. A. Kitehingliani (who appeared for the Department): This is one of those offences, of which a number have been before your Worship already, of motor cars not stopping before actually coming in contact with railway lines. This particular offence is not so .serious as some of those which come lielure you. except in one respect. According in my instructions, there were two shunters engaged in shunting carriages in the Hokitika, railway yard. One of them signalled to defendant to stop’, hut lie drove straight on. It appears that he was about a wagonlength from the carriages which were being shunted as he crossed : but the carriages were being pushed so that the engine-driver could not have n clear view of hint approaching. However lie gut over without an accident. Defendant pleads guilty formally in order to avoid bringing witnesses from Hokitika.

The Magistrate recorded a conviction. fined Teunent ss, and ordered him to pay costs and solicitor’s fee (£3 35.)

A I A Al I!.Y EKED. Joseph Devine appeared on remand, charge;! that on July 29, at Tlewanui, he assaulted his son-in-law. Robert AfeTaggnrt. with intent to do grievous bodily harm ; also with committing actual bodily lntrm. AlcTaggart appeared in Court with his head bandaged. The weapon which caused the damage, an iron bar weighing over 71Ls., was also exhibited. “I cannot seriously contend that the charge can stand against this man." said Senior-Sergeant- I’. J. McCarthy. “I could mu possibly prove in tent. Under the circumstances, youi Worship might consider reducing the charge to one of common assault." Mr W. J. Joyce, who represented accused asked that the charge he reduced as suggested. The evidence of Dr. Bruce Roy. when previously taken showed that AfcTaggart had been in no danger as a result of the assault. Very little force had been 'used. Senior-Scrgeattfc McCarthy: “Mad there been anything in the doctor’s evidence to show that force had I .eon used with a weapon like that. T would not consider the charge being reduced. Under the circumstances,- I could not very well argue that it- was used.” The Magistrate agreed to the charge being reduced to one of common as-

aault, and Mr Jovco entered a plea of guilty.

A man like' Devine was not likely to do sueli a thing without strong provocation, said the Magistrate, and a considerable amount of blame must be attached to the person who provoked him. Devine would l>e convicted an 1 ordered to come up for sentence within six months, if called upon; also to pay £.‘s As costs.