MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5187, 5 October 1927, Page 2

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

MONTHLY SITTING AT PAEROA.

(Before Mr F. W. Platts S.M.)

At the monthly sitting of the Magistrate’s Court at Paeroa on Monday D. Livingstone, auctioneer, Auckland (Mr E. A. Porritt), was proceeded against by the Paeroa Borough Council (Mr C. N. O’Nejll) and charged that being an itinerant trader within, the meaning of the by-laws he offered goods- for sale in the borough on September 7 without obtaining a license from the borough as required under by-law No. 1 of Part XI. There was no appearance of defendant, and a plea of guilty rvas entered. It was stated by Mr O’Neill that defendant had an auctioneer’s license, and had sold goods in a local, hall. The town clerk had -approached him and asked him to take out a license. The attitude- of defendant to the town clerk was a high-handed one, and he refused point blank to pay for a license. The council did not press for a heavy penalty, but it desired it to be shown that its by-laws had to be. observed.

Mr Porritt pointed out that the defendant had auctioned goods throughout the Dominion. The local by-law was rather an unusual one, and it. was the first time defendant had been asked to take out a license. The £5 for the lice-nse would be: paid, and in view of that undertaking a nominal fine only was asked for. The magistrate ordered the license fee to be paid and convicted and ordered defendant to pay £4 5s 6d and costs.

NATIVES AND LIQUiOR

A young Maori named Robert Richards, labourer. Hikutaia, was charged witli committing an offence on September 21 by aiding some person unknown to supply him with liquor for consumption off licensed premises at Paeroa. Charles Ranga, another Maori from Hikutaia, was similarly charged. The two charges were taken together, and pleas of guilty were entered.

Constable McClinchy detailed the previous proceedings of some other charges, for which both defendants had been before the Court and punished.

The magistrate said it was- a very serious offence, but in view of the fact that the, defendants had taken out prohibition orders, and had already been punished on other charges arising out of the escapade, Richards would be fined £3 and costs 10s, and Ranga £2 and costs 10s. A fortnight was allowed in which to find the money.