MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1933, Page 4

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

CHARGES HEARD BY MR ME'LDRUM. Breaches of the By-Laws. There was a lengthy list of charges for hearing by Mr \V.. Meld rum in the Magistrate’s Court at Hokitika today. Civil Cases. Judgment for plaintiff by default was given in the following eases:—(Joinmßsiorer of Taxes v. Robert McMillan, £ll 18s, and costs £1 3s; Hallenstein Bros., Ltd. v. James Roxborough, £3 Us 3d, and cds.s £1 3s 6;i; same v. Frederick idaxcn,-Jinuiß £1 2s Gd, and costs Bs. On Licensed Premises. Four defendant ywere charged with being found on the premises of the Dunedin Hotel after hours. Only one defendant appeared.

Defendant on oath said that he' was a hoarder at the hotel for that night, bait Sergeant Cl J. King said he thought that he could bring evidence to show that defendant had not spent the night there.- A member of the staff had told the police that the room, claimed by defendant to have been his, had not been used on that night.

On the application of the police this case' was adjourned till next court day. The other three defendants were each convicted and ordet'd to pay coats, two. also being fined £1 each. A charge was preferred regarding a man being found on the premises of the Post Office Hotel, defendant being ordered to pay costs. Breach of Fire Arms Act, William Joseph Johnston Was charged that, being the'registered owner of a firearm, ho did deliver possession of it to one Leonard Jones, a person other than the person entitled to' obtain same. Defendant pleaded guilty, but claimed that lie' did not .know that he was committing an offence as lie had advised Jones to secure a. permit. The police said that defendant had i>een very, frank. about it. Defendant: An axe would be a more useful weapon than the gun-. He was convicted and ordered to pay costs. Leonard Jones was charged with procuring possession cf a firearm without having a permit, and further with having delivered the firearm to one Thomas-Stoalmeir, being a person not entitled to obtain same. Defendant pleaded guilty to a certain extent, and was convicted and ordered to pay costs on each charge. Breach of Motor Regulations. Charges of failure to register and license a motor vehicle, and with using wrong number plates were preferred 'against Gordon Harcourt. On the application of counsel an adjournment was granted. Dangerous Goods Stored. A. E. Stephens was charged with keeping dangerous goods within the Borough without the necessary license. The Borough Inspector said that defendant had a quantity of benzine in store placed behind a garage, but was; without a permit. A heavy fine was nofe sought so much as giving a warning to others.

Defendant was fined 5/- and costs.

Plumbing Registrations Breach.

W. H. Interman was cHarged with a breach of the plumbing regulations. He pleaded guilty and said that he was doing the job in question for himself'' and not for pay. He was convicted gnd ordered to pay costs. Wandering Stock. For allowing horses to wander J. H. Coulson was fined 5/- and costs; V. Stopfortli 51- and costs; and Thomas Gumming and Joseph Cox Taylor 10/and costs. Maintenance Case. Richard Mace Durham was charged with a breach of liis maintenance order in respect of his wife. Defendant agreed to pay whatamount he was able, and- the Magistrate adjourned the case for two* months.