PAPAKURA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 249, 9 February 1917, Page 4

PAPAKURA.

DISTRICT NEWS.

PAPAKURA MAGISTRATE'S COURT. MONDAY, FEBRUARY sth. (Before Mr F. V. Frazer, S.M ) A RAILWAY PROSECUTION. Ernest Hosking, of Opaheke, was charged with having travelled with a railway ticket contrary to the Department's regulations under which it was issued. The case, as outlined by PoliceSergeant Cowan, was that defendant purchased a return " suburban" fare ticket at Newmarket for Papakura but alighted at Otahuhu, the breaking of the journey with a suburban ticket being a breach of the regulations. Later he proceeded on from Otahuhu to Papakura and when asked in the train by the guard for his ticket he presented the ticket from Newmarket that bad not been pnnched. When asked for the sum of Is 7d for the fare from Otahuhu to Papakura he refused to pay and also refused to give his name and address. On the guard locking the carriage doors to prevent him leaving, defendant opened the window and jumped out. Defendant pleaded guilty, but said he was ignorant of railway regulations. The Magistrate remarked that the most serious thing was the fact that the defendant refused to give his name and address and then got out of the carriage through the window. Defendant was convicted and fined £1 with costs 15s. JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT. Judgments by default were given for the respective plaintiffs in the following cases, viz.: —Charles Parmenter v. W. Gerrard for £l4 15s and costs £1 15s, and Susan Coulter v. J. B. Kerr for 17s 6d. A HARVESTING CLAIM. Louis Norman White, labourer, of Hunua, sued Alexander Anderson, a Hunua farmer, for the sum of £ll Os 6d, alleged to be due to him from defendant for wages, and Roland Allan Watts, labourer, of Hunua, also sued the defendant for £3 8s 8d for work done, both plaintiffs having been employed by defendant for harvesting hay. Mr A. L. Denniston represented defendant. The action concerned as to the time and the rates of pay. Both White aud Watts worked for defendant to cut and cart hay. The former agreed to cut and cart the defendant's crop, and according to custom had to provide a man for driving the team.

Defendant's counsel stated that although separate claims were made in respect of each plaintiff, both worked for defendant under contract any the dispute was as to the number of hours worked. The claim by Watts, although it presented certain difficulties, could, said counsel, be easily adjusted.

After hearing evidence the Magistrate gave judgment in favour of Watts for £2 Is 4d.

The plaintiff White produced certain books in support of his claim, but His Worship intimated that he was not satisfied. White thereupon angrily addressed the Magistrate, but eventually His Worship, on White's request, agreed to adjourn the case until the sth March. Mr Frazer, however, pointed out to White that if he lost his case the expenses of the adjournment would fall on him. White, however, stated he was quite prepared to pay.

Constable Kelly, of Hamilton, has been appointed to the charge of the Papakura police district in succession to Constable Waugh, who recently resigned and has entered into possession of the Drury Hotel.