POLICE COURT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4749, 10 September 1924, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8,192 L (Before Mr J. H. Salmon, S.M.) EXPOSING LIQUOR FOR SALE. Bertram John Batchelor, labourer, Karangahake, was charged with having kept beer for sale in a no-license district on August 9. Constable McClinchy stated that, with Senior-Sergeant O’Grady, he searched the premises of defendant at Karangahake and found a ten-gal-lon keg of beer on tap and several glasses containing dregs of -beer. Batchelor had entered the premises at Karangahake without authority, having come from Hamilton some three months ago. Defendant had done little work in the district, and had been practically living on an oldage pensioner at Karangahake. In answer to the Bench the police read a number of previous convictions against accused. A fine of £2O was imposed, in default three months’ imprisonment in Auckland gaol. CHARGED WITH ASSAULT. An elderly man named Michael. Burke, a miner, Karangahake, was charged with using threatening behaviour on Saturday morning towards Ralph Johnston, and was alleged to have .attempted to strike the informant with an axe. Ralph Johnston, miner, Karangahake, stated that on Saturday morning he was going towards Karangahake township in a gig with his son when the defendant walked on to the road from the riverbank and stopped him. Defendant was carrying an axe, and appeared to be excited. Defendant accused him of trespassing on the property and trying to burn down his shanty, and threatened “to do” for him. Witness stated that he and defendant had had an altercation about eight months ago, and as a consequence a strained feeling existed between them. In answer to His Worship witness said that he had never insulted or threatened the defendant. Ralph Johnston, a son of the previous witness, gave corroborative evidence as to the words alleged to have been used by defendant to his father and described the attitude adopted by defendant, who, he alleged, had stated that he would do for the informant either then or later. Replying to the Bench witness said that be had never heard his father threatennig the defendant. Constable Daley stated that when he had approached defendant a complete denial wag given to the charge of attempted assault. The defendant emphatically denied the allegations, and stated that he wished to live peacefully, but alleged that he had been persecuted by the informant. His Worship said he did not want to gaol the defendant, but would bind him over to keep the peace for twelve months in his own recognisance of £5O and order him to pay costs, £2 12s. TRESPASS ON RAILWAY. V. Young, Hikutaia, farmer, was charged with allowing six head of cattle to trespass on the railway line- on July 23, between Paeroa and Tirohia. Constable McClinchy stated that Young had been grazing cattle at Tirohia owing to his own property suffering from the effects of the recent floods. The cattle had been allowed to wander on to the railway line. His Worship said that the offence must be regarded as a serious one, and convicted and fined defendant £2, with costs 7g. FAILURE TO MAINTAIN. Emily Williams proceeded against her husband, William Williams, for failing to maintain her and three children at the rate of 30s a week under a maintenance order, and claimed arrears amounting to £9 10s. Defendant was convicted and sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, tlie warrant to be suspended so long as current maintenance was kept up and 10s a week paid off the arrears. BREACH OF PROHIBITION ORDER. Angus John Campbell, farmer, Paeroa, was charged with a breach of his prohibition order. Constable McClinchy stated that the defendant had been found wandering about Belmont Road, Paeroa, In a more or less drunken condition on Saturday last, and had been put into a carjand taken to his home. Mr Porritt appeared for defendant and stated that defendant had met a friend during the morning who gave him a drink of beer from a bottle. That was all the drink that had been consumed by defendant, who was a decent, hard-working man, but drinK was his failing. To His Worship the police stated that Campbell had been convicted for a breach of his prohibition order in July last. It was admitted. that he was a hard-working farmer. Defendant was convicted and fined £2, with costs 7s, in default 14 days’ imprisonment in Thames gaol. CONVICTED FOR. ASSAULT. Angus John Campbell, farmer, Paeroa, was arraigned on a charge of alleged assault on a woman at his home on August 23. Mr E. W. Porritt appeared for the defendant and pleaded not guilty. Considerable evidence was given by the woman concerned, and Constables McClinchy and Daley. The defence was a complete denial of the offence. In summing up His Worship said that tne case presented difficulties, ih that it was one of oath against oath, and he did not think a jury would convict on a case presenting such extraordinary features. The woman had told a commonsense story, but defendant’s evidence was unbelievable. He had presented an extraordinary story, and his evidence, on the afee of it, could not be accepted. No doubt liquor had been the downfall of defendant, and it was fortunate for him that the offence alleged had nbt been a more serious one. In conclusion, the Magistrate said that such a man should not be allowed to advertise for a woman housekeeper.

Defendant was convicted of common assault and fined £5, together with costs amounting to £4 80 10d.