MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1927, Page 3

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

THURSDAY, SEPT. 15th. (Before W. Meldrum, Esq., 5.. M.) LICENSING ACT. On a charge of being on licensed pro-’ mises after hours (Post Office Hotel) two first offenders were convicted and ordered to pay costs 10s eacn. In another case against a native an adjournment was made to enable a Maori translation to he served. DEFENCE ACT. For failure to attend drill convictions were recorded and fines inflicted as follows:—H. G. Broad-bent 5s and costs 12s (id, If. Staines 5s and costs 12s Cd, S. W. Dale 40s and costs 12s 6d. F. R. Hall 5s and costs 12s Od. UNLIGHTED MOTOR CYCLE.

W. Gaylor, Borough Inspector (Mr Park) v. C. Brunt, a charge of riding a motor cycle at night without a lightwas lined 5s and costs 20s Gd. F .H. Drayton, similarly charged, was fined 5s and costs 20s Cd. FIRE PREVENTION ACT. Borough Inspector (Mr Park) v. P. Renton Juiir. a charge of failure to obey instructions to leave a passage inside Princess Theatre during a per-

formance. A plea of not guilty was made. Mr Park .said the present charge was brought as a test case to prevent overcrowding and danger, the charge arising out of a crowded attendance at Princess Theatre on the occasion of the Competitions Social. It had been found necessary to prevent persons from standing in the passages of the building, but the defendant, among others, had refused to move therefrom, and the ease was being taken to prove the power of the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade and of his appointees. Evidence was given by A. A. Andre wes of appointment of Supt. Braddon and of the latter, who .stated owing to the serious overcrowding of the building he had given orders for Lire fire passages to be kept clear, and this was not done by sonic persons. AV. K. Gaylor gave evidence he was instructed by Supt. Braddon to keep tlie fire passages of Princ-es.s Theatre* clear. Defendant stood insidlii the doorway of the circle in the passage. Warned him to move out of the passage. lie did not go and he took his name and that of others.

Frank -Ballinger .said fib was present -•>n duty as a fireman in the Princess Theatre, upstairs. Saw defendant in tlie passage way and Aft' Gaylor speak to him. Defendant did nut leave for sour-.* twenty minutes afli-r he was notified.

llis Worship, requiring proof of the gazetting of the Hokitika Fire District, an adjournment was then, made fill next sitting. MA INTENANCE Cl IA RG E. AL A. AVoodley (Air A[urclneli) v. John Woodley (Auckland), for separation order, guardianship of two children and maintlonance. An application by defendant for nil adjournment to enable evidence to be taken in Auckland was objected to bv Atr ATurdoeh. After consideration his ’Worship heard the evidence of complainant and her sister. An order was then made for a separation order, with guardianship of flic two children by the wife, and for payment- of 20s to the* wife and 10s each for tlie two children pier week. Costs £3 3s wore allowed. debt cases. Judgment for plainttiff by default was given in the following eases: George Bansgrove (Air Eleock) v. H. Bnrlthrop and J. Russell £7O 7s (id and costs £5 Is Gd.

AVilliam Robinson (Mr Elcoc-k) v. AValter Batchelor £5 18s 9d and costs £2 (Is Gd.

J. Park v. G. J. Aluir, £ll Its (bland costs £2 14s. AVUlls Bros and Sons (Mr Eleock) v. N. McLeod. £5 18s 4d and costs £1 14s Gd.

Hokitika Borough Council (Air Park) v. 0. R. E. Horton, £l9 17s (kl and costs £2 18s. Same v. A. Jukes, £0 16s 9d and costs £1 14s od. E. Schroder and Co (Afr Elcock) v. Donald Spencer, £4 l&s 4d and costs £1 14s Cd. Same v. AVm. Orpwood. £1 4s 2d and costs Bs. —Elsie .T. McFndyen (Air Elcoek) v. AVm. Sutherland (Afr Murdoch). Judgment summons £9 18s Od balance. After hearing evidence an adjournment was made for two (decks. F. AA r . Chalk (ATr Murdoch) v. F. 4V. AA’oolhouse, judgment summons £3 16s. No order made.