S.M. COURT.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 28 March 1919, Page 2

S.M. COURT.

OTAKI—THIS DAY. Before E. Page, Esq., S.M. Breach of Prohibition Order. Police v. William Atkinson. —Charge of procuring liquor while prohibited. Accused pleaded guilty under extenuating circumstances. Constable Sathcrlcy stated that shortly after the prohibition order was issued ho found accused with beer in his possession. He was a hard worker when not drinking. Being the first breach Atkinson wus convicted and fined £l, costs 7s. Case Withdrawn. Au assault case. Rebecca Cootes v. William Cootes, was withdrawn. Claim for Rent. R. J. ’ Stavclcy v. E. H. Glaridge, claim £3 for rent, and request for possession. Defendant said ho was quito willing to pay the rent aud leavo the house as soon as ho could secure another. Mr Staveley said he had only let Claridgo in on the distinct understanding that ho paid tho vent regularly, aud he submitted lie was entitled to possession, which he wanted. Ho was willing to allow him to remain in the house for three months or till he got a house.

Defendant said he dcsirod to leavo the house, and would do so tit tlie first opportunity. He had searched for a vacant house, but had failed to find

Judgment was given for tho amount claimed, and an order issued that defendant- give possession of tho house within two months.

Judgment Summonses. • Maud Mary Hodge (Mr IlaYf'M? Papi (Bob) Nikoru, claim £7 13s 7d. Order made that defendant pay tho amount forthwith, in default eight days’ imprisonment, payment to bo made at the rate of £2 per month, first payment to be on April 28th. A. A. Landall (Mr Harper) v. August Bishop, claim £2 8s lilt.

Defendant stated that ho lived at Otaki, and admitted tho debt. Ho had made no effort to pay any part of tho amount, which was for groceries. Ho had found it impossible to pay. * fl ° amount owing to shortage of work. He lived on potatoes, pipis, eels, and sometimes he bought flour. He may have averaged two daya' work per week, and lately had earned as high as 11s per day, but had never worked a full week. lie had given Noble a* order on Ryder for wages due to him. Ho had aho had sickness in the house, and had got in arrears with rent, no had no doctor’s expenses to pay, but he had to buy medicine. He had earned about £2O during the past nine months. Ho had tried to get work, and in places had failed.

Order made, the amount to bo paid at the rate of 15a per month, first payment to bo made on 2Stk April, in default two days’ imprisonment. W. G. Barnett (Mr Harper) v. Huin, Mihaka (Mr Stavclcy), claim £ls os.

Defendant stated he was a single man, and lived with his father and mother. He had not worked anywhere, since last September. He had had influenza for about two months, prior to which he was staying at home. He had travelled with Baker's circus for thebenefit of health. He stayed with them a month, but did no work, though he got n few bob occasionally for singing. He was being kept,'and his health had improved! The doctor had not passed him yet as Et for work. He had received money through the Native Land Court totalling £2l. Out of this he had to pay hi 3 grandfather ’s funeral expenses. He secured the money iff December, just as his grandfather died and just as he got sick. Prior to tie influenza he wea working at the -.;/%• mill and received 35s a day. To Mr Sfavcley: M 7 father >■ mother are old and unable to do *.Jything. When I earn money I give Kto them to buy food with; I paid £l7 for the funeral expenses and && for the doctor. To tho K.M.: I think I am able to work now, and I think I ean pay £1 per month. Order made to pay £1 each atfath', in default 16 day’* imprisonment. Plyil Case. In the case A. Freeman v. D. Tera, claim £4 .19s 6d, judgment was given by default, coils 24.-..