RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5430, 22 August 1878, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Wednesday, August 21. • (Before T. A. Hansford, Esq., R.M.) DRUNKENNESS. Three persona charged with drunkenness wero fined os. each, with the alternative of 24 hours’ imprisonment CASHING- ADVANCE NOTES. P. A. Jones, the keeper of a boardinghouse in Willis-street, was charged with refusing to deliver up a sailor's advance note when called upon. Mr. Fitz Gerald appeared for the prosecution. The following evidence was taken : George Crowe, a seaman on board the barque Elizabeth, deposed that he had an advance note for £3, which he took to the defendant to cash. Defendant, in answer to witness, said that ho would cash it for 10s. After witness had endorsed the note, the defendant said, “ I suppose you will stand a bottle of porter.” Witness agreed to do so, and defendant brought in three bottles of porter, which were drunk. Witness asked several times for his change, but could never get it. Captain Soutar explained the usual course adopted by agents in cashing advance notes. The defendant said that there was a great risk in cashing advance notes presented by sailors, as they. did not always join their vessels. In this case the complainant asked him to cash an advance note, which he declined to do, but offered to become security for an outfit. Complainant appeared satisfied with this, and proceeded to “shout” all round, and defcudaub'paid for the drinks. The Resident Magistrate, after hearing the evidence, said it appeared to him that this was a very clear case of imposition, and ho would do his best to close such dens as the defendant’s, where sailors were apparently entrapped and inveigled into spending their money. He fined the defendant £5, and ordered him to return the advance note to the complainant.