MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1932, Page 4

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

SITTING AT HOKITIKA

CASES HEARD BY MR MELRUM

The Magistrate’s Court sat at Hokitika. this morning when Mr W. Meldrum S.M. was on the bench.

Judgment by Default

Judgment by default was given in the case of J. C. Malfroy ><,Ltd. v. Roy Curtis. £9 and costs £l/12/6.

On Premises After Hours

For being in the Post Office Hotel alter hours, a defendant pleaded nob

guilty. , Constable Doherty gave evidence that he visited the hotel on a Sunday and distinctly heard a stampede of. men dow;n a passage. He intercepted defendant a few. minutes later attempting to scale a fence. Defendant pleaded that he had been using the convenience. *

Defendant, in the box, denied that he had scaled a fence and maintained that he was never on the .Post Office Hotel premises, but admitted using the convenience at the Red Lion Hotel. . ’

A rapid exchange of questions and answers continued between defendant and Sergeant King, and the Magistrate said he could not enter a conviction on the evidence. The case was dismissed,

Remission of Arrtars,

An application for remission of arrears in respect of a. maintenance order was made by N. M. Manson. Sergeant King said the arrears amounted to £ll7, and applicant had no prospect of paying it off. The applicant admitted having »*eceived a legacy from the Old Country, but denied anticipating receipt of a sum of £SOO or £6OO in the near fut-

The application was granted,

Driving Without a License

For driving a motor car without, a license, Frank James Lewis was fined 10/- and costs.

Charge Dismissed

John Alfred Hart (Mr Brosnan) was charged with driving a car at a dangerous speed. Evidence was given by the Borough Inspector, Mr W. E. Gaylor-, aftei which he was subject to cross examination by Air Brosnan, stating that defendant was travelling at 30 miles an hour.

Mr Brosnan contended that there was not. the least suggestion that there was any element of danger attached to the case. Defendant said th e Inspector was in a bad temper- and did not speak .very politely to him. He denied that he was travelling at the speed’stated. Evidence was also given by Eric, Souter, of Greymouth, a passenger in defendant’s car. . •

The Alagistrate said he considered the driving in ; this case was not dangerous. Possibly : therei had been a breach of a by-law, but : the car was under control. He dismissed the case.