MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1933, Page 4

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

CHARGES HEARD AT HOKITIKA

BEFORE’ AIR TV. MELDRUAI S.M

In the Magistrate’s C°ui’t this morning, Mr W. M-eldrum, S.M., dealt with charges as follows CIVIL CASES. Judgment for plaintiff by default wa s given in th 2 following cases Frederick Black v, W, Barrowman £1 10 6 7d, and costs) £1 2s; J, Searle y. J, 0, A. Diedrichs £35, and costg £4 3s 6-d ; Westland Hospital Board v, Eldon >Moxris £BO ss, and costs £4 2s, licensing cases. Mr Meldrum gave his reserved judgment in connection with chargee laid by the police as the result, of a visit paid to the ‘Red Lion Hotel on the evening of December 6. In this connection, John James Mclntosh senior, \vas charged with selling liquor after hours, and with exposing liquor for sale. Counsel and the police differed as to the authority under which the charges weire laid, and the Bench again rese r ved judgment until next C°urt day. In the case of George McCabe and John Mclntosh, junr., charged with supplying liquor, being persons other than the licensee, the Bench fined each £1 and costs. Two defendants found on the premies were each convicted and ordered to pay, costs, one being filled £l.

Thonm s Ward avas charged with accompanying a prohibited person into a hotel.

Sergeant C. J. King said that on December 28 defendant had committed the offence at the Three Mile and at Kumara, .knowing his companion wag a prohibited person. Ward was fined 5s and costs. SEQUEL TO MOTOR ACCIDENT.

A. M. Stopforth wag charged ivith driving without a lieense ) and wa s fined 6s and costs.. Herbert Porter (Mr Murdoch) was charged with failing to keep to the left of the centre line of th e road. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Sergeant King said that on January 2, a collision occurred on the Kanieri road between cars driven by Porter and /Stopforth. The .latter was driving toward Kanieri when he.met a car driven by Porte,- who was coming from Waiho to Hokitika. Stopforth had claimed that he wa s travelling at a moderate <speod on the correct side of the road. Porter had claimed that he had been so dazzled lrv Stopforth’s lights that he (had encroaclied on the centre line, although prior to this he also had been on is correct side. Both cars had been extensively damaged. Defendant claimed that he had taken every precaution possible, but he had been dazzled bv the lights of the oncoming car. which appeared to be out of focus. He immediately stopped as a result, and next moment, the cars collided. Ho contended that the position of Stopforth's car after the accident was due L- : ts rebound, the impact being so gr. at. After hearing lengthy evidence, including that of two witnesses .for defendant, the Magistrate dismissed the case, —. „J‘ ‘