MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 18 December 1930, Page 6

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18. DEBT CASES. (Before W. Meldrum, Esq., S.M.) Judgment for plaintiff with costs was given in the following, cases. G. Sutherland (Mr Elcock) v. V. Pierson, claim £6 7s and costs 30s 6d. M. McGavin (Mr Elcock) v, J. Wright claim £l3 13s 6d and costs £2 4s. M. H. Houston (Mr Park) v. A. J. Willmot claim jUiO/6/10. Judgment for plaintiff with costs £2/12/-. JUDGMENT SUMMONS. Ford' Motors Canterbury Ltd. (Mr Murdoch) v. Richard Lloyd. Judgment summons £24 6s 6d. No order made. POLICE OFFENCES. On charges of being found unlawfully on licensed premises convictions were recorded as follows. One offender (Commercial Hotel) ordered to pay costs 10s. , . Three defendants (Club Hotel). One to pay 40s and costs 10s, one to pay 20s and costs 10s, the other to pay 10s.

Two defendants (Club Hotel). One was fined 20s and costs 10s, the other being dismissed. One defendant (Commercial Hotel), to pay costs 10s. The Police charged J. R. Shannon with failure to register the transfer of a rifle. Convicted and ordered to pay costs 10s.

A piohibited person for breach ’of order was fined 5s and costs 10s .

Police charged three defendants with being found on .licensed,.premises (Masonic Hotel) after hours. Mr Murdoch for defendants pleaded not guilty. After hearing evidence the charges were •dismissed.

Borough Inspector, W. E. Gay lor (Mr Park) v. Geo. Searle, a. charge of failure to have proper registration plate on lorry. Fined 10s and costs 20s 6d.

Truant Officer, W. D. Mackay v. L. George (Mr Elcock) two charges of failure of child to attend school. Convicted and fined 5s and costs 1.2 s on one charge and pay costs 12s on the second. . CHARGE DISMISSED. Police charged J.- J. Morgan licensee of Masonic Hotel, with exposing .liquor for sale after hours and another. defendant with being unlawfully on the premises. Mr Murdoch for defendants pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given, by Constable Best,, J. J. Morgan and J. Wamook. His Worship then dismissed the charge against the licensee, the other defendant being convicted and ordered to pay costs 10s. ANOTHER CHARGE.

Police charged H. -Creber with being in licensed premises (Masonic Hotel) unlawfully, and the licensee’s daughter with supplying liquor after hours and the licensee (J. J. Mor--an) with exposing liquor after hours. Mr Murdoch for defendants pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given by Seirgt. King, Const. Dougherty, Miss Morgan, J. J. Morgan, and R. Bailey. Sergt. King and Const. Dougherty in their evidence stated when they entered the room adjoining the bar the slide was up and that Morgan, pulled down the slide, 'Miss'Morgan being inside the bar, the Sergt. stating he saw Creber in the act of drinking, and the Constable said that lie saw Creber with a glass in his hand. In direct contradiction Miss Morgan stated the slide was not open, that she djd not see Creber there or supply him with a drink. Creber .stated he went into .the hotel, did not see anyone in the front mom till the Sergt. came in. Had no drink that night in the hotel. That Morgan did not close the slide, he pushed in the under door. Had a few drinks that night, but none in that hotel. J. J. Morgan (licensee) stated when the Sergt. entered lie saw a light in the bar and went and saw his daughter was there. Pushed the door under.the slide to. C'reber was there. Did not serve him with a drink. The slide was not up.

His Worship in giving his decision sp,id he had to decide which side lie bad to believe. Both sides cannot be speaking the truth. In coming to a decision he had to consider the demeanor qf the witnesses in the box. The evidence, of the police was reviewed, and then that for the defence. He saw no reason why when the police arrived, that the licensee should jump up and rush to the bar slide. He had no difficulty in coming to a decision to accept the evidence of the Police. Creber would he convicted and ordered to pay costs 10/-. Rita Morgan was convicted and fined 20s and costs 10s, J. J. Morgan was convicted and fined 40s and costs 10/- on one charge,, the others being withdrawn.