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Opotiki News, Issue 7, 7 March 1938, Page 2

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MONTHLY SSTTSKfj»|#J’^f ■■ The inontiily-sitting ? of tluv OputijL^Hpjp Magistrate's Court• was. field tuHHHj morning before’Mr E, L. Walton, diaries Patrick Collins, on a of being.iound a to whic-li lie- pleaded 'guiltyy was uned 10s.and costs. w

Highway Obstruction. Noel; Stirling, Jack Swinton and Charles Walker were charged with, wilfully - obstructing the main highway near Raukokore; also with set ting fire to a puriri tree. To the first charge the accused all pleaded guilty but on the second charge they said they set fire only to a growth in the fork of the tree, ;$l • Sergeant Ishister stated that he was informed that the three accused set fire to the puriri tree in order to fell it across the road to obstruct traffic. Some neighbours put the fire out a quarter of an hour later. , The accused then dragged three large logs across the road. A car which came along, had to pull up sharply, nearly striking the, logs. The service car als6 had, to pull off sharply and nearly collided with the first car. The tree was valued by the council at £4. M. E„ O. East, who appeared for Stirling, said there was was no intention to set fire to the tree, only to the kiki. As to the logs, there was no intention to damage the cars. Mr ]SL V. Hodgson who appeared y 3 for Swinton and Walker, submitted ,a't similar plea. On the charge of obstructing' the road; the accused were each fined LI, with costs; 15s. On the second charge they were fined 10s each. , l > . Charles Grace was charged with being found on licensed premises during the currency of a prohibition order. He was further charged with eousumiag liquor on licensed premises. A fine of £1 and costs was imposed on each charge. George lleeee was charged with being found on licensed premises during the currency of a prohibition order. Mr'Hodgson who appeared for accused stated that accused was not near the bar. He had arranged to collect a parcel of paint brushes from the hotel but lie did not have any liquor. Defendant was convicted and ordered to pay 10s costs. Ben Case was charged that in February 28 at Te Kalm lie was in charge of a vehicle and failed to carry a warrant of fitness. He was also charged with operating a vehicle with insufficient lights. The accused pleaded guilty. Sergeant Ishister stated that the..*, accused attended a dance at Te Kalm driving a model T Ford truck. The Constable at Te Ivaha questioned him and ordered him to use the vehicle no further. The. defendant continued to use the vehicle. On each charge lie was fined Ills with 10s, costs. The stock inspector, Mix Kent, proceeded against Boris Black, who was charged with offering for sale lice in-fected-sheep. Mix Kent said that the defendant had two pens of aged ewes at the Wliakatane sale and these were infected with lice. Mr. -Hodgson who apnea red for the defendant, said that Mix Black was a dairy .farmer, and also had, hill country near Whnkatane. He mustered the sheep which numbered about 400 and inspected a number of them. v\ neighbour took them down to the sale. The accused was fined LjL-and costs 10s. 1 nW . V