TAUMARUNUI S.M., COURT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 37, 5 July 1907, Page 2

TAUMARUNUI S.M., COURT.

Thursday, June 27'nr, 1907. [Before Mr H. W. Northcrofl, S.M.] BREACH OF TilE PEACE. Two young men named JamesGavin and S. Warren, were charged with committing a breach of the peace at Manunui. The defendants were convicted and ordered to pay costs, 12s. A LIQUOR CASK. W. Mitchell was charged will) bringing liquor into a prohibited district, in April last, and with selling the same at Ongarue. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Constable Butler gave evidence in support of the charges. Mitchell, in giving evidence for Ihe defence, stated that he did not keep liquor for sale but being an athlete used it chiefly for external application in training operations. Very little of it was drunk. The Bench considered that a case of whisky would not be required for the purpose stated. Defendant was convicted and fined £25, and costs £<S 9s, on the first charge. On the second charge a conviction was recorded, and defendant was ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES. A. Kerr was charged with obtaining £4 from A. Mcßae, at Horopito, on June 4th, by means of a false pretence. Accused was convicted and fined £2O, and costs £7 l is, or in default six months' imprisonment. LIQUOR ORDERS. J. F. Murray 011 a charge of receiving orders for liquor, was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. ALLEGED SUNDAY TRADING. W. Patterson was charged with failing to close his billiard room at Makatotc on a certain Sunday. Mr Gillies appeared for defendant. Constable Montgomery detailed the circumstances surrounding the ease and said he had no doubt that defendant had been trading on Sunday. The place was a resort for spellers and undesirable characters, who were disorganising the works by bringing' liquor through from Taihape, and selling it to navvies. It was difficult to catch the men as they made use of a system of bush telegraphy 011 the approach of the police. Mr Gillies on behalf of the defendant, explained that the premises had to be kept open for various reasons ; a fire had to be kept going' in winter for the sake ol the billiard table cushions; the delivery of papers had to bo executed an Sunday, and the room was also used for church services. Defendant, in evidence, denied that he had done any business on Sunday. Ihe Magistrate advised defendant to get rid of the undesirable characters. He would adjourn the case until next Court day, August 2<)th, and the Constable could report then as to whether there had been any improvement in the meantime. A HORSE DISPUTE. Hurinui claimed possession ol a horse from C. Lovett, which had been taken fro'n his paddock. After hearing evidence His Worship adjourned the case till next Court day. A BUSINESS DISPUTE. Ferguson v. Fwingwas a claim for £q, and a counter claim by Ewing from Ferguson for £ls was made in connection with store transactions at. Matapuna. Mr Gillies appeared for Ewing. and Mr Collins for Ferguson. .After hearing evidence at length, His Worship gave judgment on the claim fori.) l/s 9d without costs, and 011 the counter claim for £ls without costs. A large number of debt cases were also heard.