MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1927, Page 4

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

GREYMOUTI!. February 28. At the -Magistrate’s Court to-day on the ground of persistent cruelty and failure to maintain, Pearl Gibbous (represented by .Mr Joyce,/ secured separation, guardianship, and maintenance orders against her husband, Basil Gibbons. Maintenance was fixed at 2bs per week for the wife and child, and solicitor’s fee (Oil 3s) was also allowed. Doth parents are under 21 years of age. and the S.M. characterised the ease as very unfortunate. Charged with the theft, on December 20. of a cycle valued at L'2 10s, the property of Ronald John Williams, sou of the licensee of the Royal Hotel, a young man named Thomas Hill, IS years of age, residing nr OmoLo, pleaded not guilty. TFe was not represented by counsel. Detective Mureh stated that nothing previously was known against accused. He had been in the country only a few months, and was employed as a rope boy at the Rewnnui Mine. The 18. M. convicted accused, and ordered him to come up for sentence if called upon, wit.on 12 months. An order was made for the return of the cycle to the

On tilt 1 inhumation of Thomas Henry Kin}?, manager of No. 2 State sfine. Rewanui. Duncan Hill was charged with having a match in his possession, in a part of the mine where safety lamps wore used. Defendant admitted that the match was in his pocket, but said he did not know it was there, lie was not in the habit of carrying loose matches, and it must have fallen out of the box. -Mr F. A. Kitchingham, for tlu> informant, stated that safety lamps had been in use in the mine for the past three years. It was very necessary that the Act should ho strictly complied with. Such prosecutions, however. had not been numerous, and a heavy penalty was not pressed for. Mr tV. Meldritm. S.M.. pointed out that the object of the regulations was the preservation of life. There appeared no doubt that the present offence was due to an oversight on the part of defendant. He would he convicted ana ordered to pay 10s costs, and solicitor’s fee £3 3s.