MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1930, Page 3

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

GREYMOUTH, September 22. fit the Magistrate’s Court Peter Josepli O’Neill, 50,. appeared on rem. ml charged with indecently assaulting a male at Waiuta on September 7. Sen-ior-Sergeant C. E‘. Roach asked for a further remand until Monday next. Renewal of bail was granted in accused £IOO and one surety of £IOO or two of £SO each being allowed. WOMEN DRIVERS FINED. That, on August 2-6, at Grey mouth, she drove a motor vehicle aiong Tai,uui Street in a manner which, raving regard to all the circumstances of the case, might have been dangerous to the public, was tire charge, against. Mary Wilkinson, of Brunner. Defendant was represented by Mr J. W. Hannan, who entered a plea of guilty. • . The Senior-Sergeant said that one of Kennedy Bros’ buses was travelling to Greymouth, and stopped near the gas office to allow an old lady to alight. The defendant was proceeding m the same direction, and her cor crashed into the rear of the bus. The old lady who was leaving the bus received a ‘ shock when knocked back by the impact. Mr Hannan said that the facts were as stated. Defendant was not aware that it was a stopping place for the bus. Several pedestrians were crossing the street at the time, and she alias watching them, and expecting that •the bus was going ’right on. The car \yas travelling slowly. Practically no damage was done to the bus, but defendant's car was damaged. The matter was was purely an error of judgment.

The S.M.: Tt is,not suggested .that she was driving at a reckless, pace :• “I don’t think sby^if'V?,replied the Senior-Sergeant. He added (that if defendant could not seel,a bus]ishe could no* see anything. ' The S.M. imposed a fine of 10s with 19s costs. Ellen Josephine Donovan, of Hokitika, was charged that, at Greymouth tju June 23, she drove a car over the railway crossing at Upper Mawhera Quay, when the line was not clear. Mr F. A. Kitehingram, who appeared for the informant, the District Traffic Manager, said that defendant had f irwarded ;a letter, pleading „uilty. but he would have to call evidence John Cody,. Deputy-Registrar of. Motor Vehicles, gave evidence as to he ow nership of the car. J. P. Osihers, Railway porter, said 'hat an engine ywas crossing from Mawhera Quay towards the yard. He saw a car • swefVS“"to the right, pass in front of ;the Engine, and swerve back to the.road again. He took the number of .the,-ear,. which was driven, by a'lady, mulhe' bad since ascertained that '• defendant',,was the driver. Tt was..a.,very close escape "from. an ac'•ident. ... ~n Mr Kitchingham said that Osmers had been, insinuated by. the Department*, to -cTainriiis’ day’s wages, 1 Is Bd. aud'iiGody ’ iTad been instruc‘ed to claim half'a "ifay’s wages, 10s. Defendant; Was fined £l, with Court costs T3s,. .witnesses’ expenses 15 s. apd solicitor’s fee £2 2s. COAL THEFTS AT KAIMATA. “The men seeni to be taking the ; law into; their own,.hands,” inid the Senior-Sergeant, referring to the thefts of coal from goods trains passing through Kaimata, en route to: Canterbury. “A considerable quanti.iy of coal is being stolen, and it is a difficult matter to deal with.” In the case before the Court, WaPer Conza, was charged that, on or about August 30, at Kaimata, he stole a quantity of coal, valued at 2s 6d, the property of the Railways Dejiartment. Conza, who made a voluntary apjiearance, pleaded guilty. I'lie Senior-Sergeant stated that other men had been fined in June last for similar offences, but the thefts had not stopped. When the men saw a policeman approaching, they Vailed out “Fire!” as a warning. Coijktahles Rodgers and Robinson bad yisifed tbe liuts of several men, and found,.sonic coal in Conza’s but, which lie admitted liaving taken from a railway waggon about five weeks ago. Some more .men would probably appear on similar charges next week. The previous offenders had been fined £l, and the Senior-Sergeant suggested that* the fines be made more substantial. VTbo railway officials were being defied, and on occasion a man bad said to a guard: “We got a nice little heap to-day!” Tt was Conza’s first offence, and the police knew nothing, else against him.

Conza stated that he was married with eight children. ■He was fined £1 and ordered to refund 2s 6d to the Railways Department.