TE KUITI MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 670, 20 May 1914, Page 5

TE KUITI MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

TUESDAY, MAY 19th, 1914

Before Mr E. Eawaon, S.M

OBSCENITY,

A young man named Harold Walker waß charged with having used obscene language in Rora street on April 30th. He was alao charged with " av " ing broken a glass case in the shop of C. Powell. Accused pleaded guilty to the first charge and entered a plea of not guilty on the second count. Sergeant Rowell stated the facts were that accused followed two Maori women into Mr Powell's shop and used übscene language to them. One of tho women slapped his faca and Mr Powell ejected accused. In doing bo a show naße was broken. Evidence to this effcet was given by C. Powell. Accused in evidence said he remembered nothing about the occurrence. lie was under the influence of drink. The Magistrate commented severely on accused's conduct and inflicted a fine of £3 and costs, or in default a fortnight's imprisonment on the charge of obscene language. On the other charge acceused was ordered to pay the damage, sa, or in default 21 hours' imprisonment. BREACH OF LICENSING ACT. Harry Ford, for whom Mr Bmndfoot appeared, was charged with supplying a native named Peter Wi with liquor. Sergeant Rowell said the cape arose out of an assault charge which was heard last Court day, in which accuseu gave evidence. It was stated in evidence on that occasion that Ford brought liquor to the house of a man named Walker. When there tho Maori and a man named South were given whisky by Ford. Walker, who was called by the police, stated his previous evidence Was not quite correct, and there had been a misapprehension. What actually happened was that the and Soutn helped themselves, Ford not having asked them to havo a drink. Walker adhered to his statement that Ford did not invite the men to drink. His Worship said, in view of the evidence, he did not think it advisable to go on with the case. The witness might not bd telling the troth, but tho suggestion of misapprehension had been made, and it was difficult to overcome it. The case was therefore dismissed. The charge against Petar Wi for aiding in the commission of an offence was also dismised on the application of Mr Sharpies. CONVICTED OF THEFT. George Swinburne was charged with the theft of a £lO note from Thomas Ross Law at Mangapehi. Mr Sharplea appeared for accused who pleaded not guilty. Sergeant Rowell, who conducted the - prosecution, stated accused had been given a £lO note at Tiroa for the purpose of bringing some stores to camp. Accused was working in the same gang as Law, and Baid he was going out to meet hia wife, and wag returning in a few days. Thomas Ross Law, in evidence, bore out Sergeant Rowell's state' ment. Swinburne did not return aa promised, but he had como back since to gat his BWag. Witness had gone to accused'* residence at Mangapehi and interviewed him concarning the matter. While there he had heard accused'-i wife say in an adjoining room, "Wall, iE you haven't got it, you haven't." Accused and wit- I ness went outside and in reply to witness' enquiry accused saici, "You don't think I'd do you in for your money.' Accused said ho had "swanked" the money, but promised to return it in a few days. This had not been done. Witness had got neither stores nor money. For the defence it was iidmitted that accused had received the money, but had lost it. After hearing Swinburne's evidence, his Worship convicted accused and inflicted a fine of £2O or 'in default three months' imprisonment. Time was allowed to pay the fine. By-law Breaches. —G. Smart, for driving across the footpath in Rora street, was fined 10s and costs. Assault and Language.—A young man named Rose, represented by Mr Broadfoot, pleaded guilty to charges of assault and using obsctne language at Aria, and was fined £lO on each charge.