MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 10 June 1930, Page 3

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

GREYMOUTH, June 10

At the Magistrate's Court yesterday boforo. Mr W. Meldrum, S.M. the business, dealt with, included the following : ; . . ~

CHARGES OF FRAUD

, Douglas Alfred Smith,, a. young man I'roin Timani, pleaded guilty to six separate charges which, were as follows: (I) That on May 30th. 193), at Reef ton, in incurring a debt of £7 6s 7d with one John William Osborne he did obtain credit by means of fraud; (2) On May 31st. 1930, at Greyniouth did commit, theft of various articles of a total value of £3 7s, the property of the New Zealand Government ; (3) On or about May 27th. at Kurow, did unlawfully convert to his own use a motor car, valued at £290, the property of Francis Edward George Fowler; (4.) On or about May 27,t1i. at Kurow he did steal one pair of trousers valued at £3 and one belt valued at ,6s 6d, the property of Norman Francis Egan; (5) On May 30th. 1930, at Reefton in incurring a debt of 15s with Isabella Adelia Stnllnrd, did obtain credit by means of fraud; (6) On May 31st. 1930, at Grevmoiith did wilfully damage one first-aid cabinet to the extent of 10s, and two towels valued at 4s o'arfi,- the property of the New Zealand Government.

After hearing"narticnlal'S the Magistrate remarked that it was not a ease for probation as' a series of offences had followed up a previous convi tion. Accused would fib sentenced to three : j: . i .. •; months’ imprisonment.

LICENSING ACT

Three members of . the West Const Rugby rteag'ue executive, Hubert Taylor, William Ryan and Harrington were charged with being unlawfully on the licensed, premises' .of the Dominion Hotel on June Ist. A plea of not guilty was entered bv each defendant.

The S.M. said the features of the case were unusual. Mat.dies were played on Sundays and the treasurer and two other members of the executive had possession of the money, and it was their duty to pass it oveto the President. The treasurer called early to do’ this, but the -President wa out. He carried the money to the pictures. and called back later, when the President took* the three men upstairs where they discussed football matter* until. 11.45 p.m. While there the licensee gave each man a drink, and if what the defendants and the licensee had said, was correct, then they were not on tlie premises unlawfully. -The telephone message had been explained. ■The .S.M. suggested that it: would perhaps be more advantageous to pay ov

the money oiu the grounds. On the evidence he u%s not able to enter a conviction, and accepted the explanaions. given by dismissing tlie charges.

Janies Collogan, licensee of the Union Hotel, was charged with, keeping open his, premises for the sale of liquor during 'prohibited hours, ami also with selling liquor after hours. His porter-barman, Edwin Edward.* •was charged with supplying liquor to a person other than a boarder on the premises.

After hearing evidence the Magistrate said that Edwards was not in possession of the bar key because the licensee permitted it, but through the latter forgetting *to get- it back after the process of cleaning the bar. The case was unusual, as the bottle of wine had been sold for a specific purpose on the urgent appeal ol ißlacktopp. The case against the. licensee would bo dismissed. Edwards would be convicted and fined £1 with costs 10s.

AN EXPENSIVE CUBAGE

James Atihl, who, appeared, pleaded guilty to the theft of o ;e c/ibbnge valued at 3s, growing in a garden at Rap ah oe on May 12th. being the .property of Richard John Parker, The Senior-Sergeant- said Anld weiit there and cut three cabbages. lle met a boy there and gave him two, taking the other to his home. The value of the cabbage was 3s 1 , and witness’s expenses amounted to 2s Bd. Accused had never previously been before the Court. •The S.M. convicted and fined Auld 10s. with 5s Bd. costs.

DISORDERLY BEHAVIOUR

Disorderly behaviour in .the public bar at the Dunollie Hotel restiUed in George Mason Elliott, who did not appeal 1 , being fined £T. Constable •Houston related having gone to the hotel on June 4th. at the request of the licensee, and there found Ellio t in the bar. He whs under the influence, of liquor, bail liis coat and vest off! and was - talking fight.’'’ ' ,

NEGLIGENT DRIVING. A plea of not guilty to : a charge of negligent 'driving of a ear was entered by John Bumble, hairdresser,) of Mnckav Street. The S.M. remarked that defendant was undoubtedly to blame in driving the ear with the steering gear out of order, and fined him £1 with 13s costs, and witness’s expenses 10s.