MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5111, 6 April 1927, Page 2

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

LAST MONDAY’S SITTING.

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN.

At the Paeroa Magistrate’s Court an Monday morning, before Mr F. W. Flatts, S.M., William Williams, labourer, was charged with failure under a maintenance order made at Paeroa on June 4, 1924, to contribute £2 a week towards the maintenance of his wife and children. Arrears amounting to £27 9s to March 25 last were also claimed. Mr R. S. Carden appeared for the complainant, Mrs Emily Williams, Paeroa, and asked f.or an order. A lengthy letter was tendered by defendant in which he stated that he was unable to earn sufficient money to keep up witli the previous order. Mr Carden said that there were three children, and it was the duty of the defendant to contribute something towards the keep of his wife and family. An order for imprisonment was made, the warrant to be suspended so long as defendant paid £1 and the arrears, plus £1 Is Court costs. JUDGMENT ORDER REFUSED.

Jakob Bertel,sen (Mr E. A. Porritt) proceeded under a judgment summons to claim the sum of £22 8s alleged to be rent due from Thomas Reid (Mr R. S. Carden).

Thomas Reid, labourer, Paeroa, said that he was earning about £1 10s a week, and had been employed for about 12 weeks less a fortnight’s broken time. A wife and five children were depending upon him, and his present job would probably last a further six weeks. Under the circumstances it was not possible to make any offer. To Mr E. A. Porritt defendant denied that he was a tradesman. It was not a fact that he was in the habit of frequenting hotels at present. The claim was for rent, a.nd he was at the present time paying 15s a week for rent of another cottage. The magistrate pointed out that defendant had said that he had five children to support, but examination showed that he had not contributed anything for three months. The defendant would have to support his children. Under the circumstances no order would be made. JUDGMENT CASES. Judgment for plaintiff by default, with costs, was given in the following cases: M. Rohan v. G. Knowles, £’4 13s ; W. W. Little v. L. Taylor, £2l ; S. H. Liggins v. N. Helmrich, £2 14s 3d ; W. Fleming and Son v. M. White, £l2 16s 6d ; Wallace Supplies, Ltd., v. J. P. Mitchell, £l9 12s Id ; F. J. Wells and Sons ’v. E. C. Dally £lO 7 s 3d.