MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1929, Page 2

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

GREYMOUTH CASKS. CAUSING A NUISANCE. GREYMOUTH, May 7. At the Magistrate's Court yesteidn.y before Mr 'Meldnun, S.M., Frum-is Dominic Magee was charged with disturbing a picture entertainment at tile Opera House on the evening of Good Friday.Arthur Behan, manager of the O'pera House, said that Magee “kicked up a row” pretty well all through the performance, and would not leave when requested to do so, maintainin'' that he had paid for admission and had a right to stay in the hall. He was got out, after a lot of trouble. The on-hestra had to stop playing, and th- lights had to be put up. About IKK) or 400 people had their enjoyment spoiled by the disturbance. Without hearing the evidence of two other witnesses, the S.M. convicted Magee and fined him £l, with 19s Court costs and 39s witnesses’ expenses. LICENSEE CHARGED. Thomas Milligan, licensee of the Commercial Hotel, was charged with failing to admit the .police to his premises shortly after midnignt on the night of April 13-14. He pleaded not guilty. “Looking at the thing from all points of view.” said the S.M., after reviewing the evidence, “I can come to no other conclusion than that there was obstruction to the admission of the nolic-o. They were doing their duty, and they had reason to believe that trading was going on. I. believe the evidence of Sergeant Smyth, when lie says lie recognised the licensee’s voi.ee at the door. Defendant is convicted and fined £2, with 10s costs.” A LICENSING CASE. Incidents which' took place at the Commercial Hotel, Greymouth, on the night- of April 12, resulted in John Bourke, William Wright, and Arthur R.idor being charged with unlawful presence on -the premises, while Maude Milligan, wife of the licensee, was oh urged with aiding and abetting R.idor in the commission of the offence.

After Mr Ran nan and the SeniorSergeant had addressed him, the S.M. said there was no evidence to contradict the statement that Bourke and Wright stayed at the hotel that night, in order to leave for the Ross sports early on the following day. It was unsatisfactory that they had not been more frank with the police. He had some doubt under the circumstances, whether an arrangement was made to take the girls to the dance. However, Bourke and Wright booked their beds, and actually stayed at. the hotel that night. The charges against them would he dismissed.

So 'far as Rider was concerned, he had admitted that he did not intend to stay at tlio hotel and did not stay there. He would be convicted and ordered to pay 10s costs.

With regard to the charge 'against Mrs Milligan of aiding and abetting Rider in tlio commission of an offence, he did not think there was any doubt about it. She admitted herself that she tried to shield him, and that she was sorry she did so. That was really’ an admission of the fact that she was concealing from the -police information that she ought - to have given them. She would he convicted and fined £1 with 10s costs.