MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 555, 6 August 1920, Page 2

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

USUAL SITfING. (Before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.) The ordinary periodical sitting of the Magistrate's Court was held yesterday before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. Failing to Notify Change of Address. Hendrlck was charged that on or about January 1, 1920, at Tu;ikau, being an alien, failed within 11 days to notify his change of address. Defendant did not appear, and was convicted and ordered to pay costs amounting to 19s. Constable Bruce Thompson stated that defendant was a decent, hardworking man. Breaches of Prohibition Orders.

Three natives of Tuakau—Purua, Tawera, and Peter Rau were charged with committing a breach of their prohibition orders, by procuring liquor and secondly, that they entered the Tuakau Hotel while prohibited. All pleaded guilty, and as the offence was committed on the first day the order was made, each was ordered to pay costs amounting to 14s 6d. The Magistrate took a lenient view of the cases, and informed defendants that they were not to enter a hotel again, otherwise he would deal mote severely with them. Failing to Attend Technical Classes.

Two cases of parents failing to send their children to the technical and continuation school at Pukekohe, as required by regulations, did not take long to dispose of. The Education Department, which was represented by Mr. H. S. Small, proceeded against George Attewell, parent of Bruce Attewell, a child between 14 and 17 years of age, for failing to send him to the school when such school was open on 22nd and 29th March, 12th April, 31st May and 7th June, 1920. Mr. Attewell admitted that the boy did not attend on the dates in question, the reason being that the boy had told him that the teacher of the class had treated him roughly by punching him and pulling his hair. Mr. Attewell also stated that when the boy went to the lower school his conduct was good.—Mr. Samuel Youlden, superintendent of manual training at the school, said that the occurrence complained of had not taken place during his term in charge of the school, which was since April. Mr. Flavell had informed him that he had had trouble with some of the boys, and that to prevent a repetition of the trouble he had had to take a firm stand. The boy had never attended while witness was there.

The Magistrate said the law said the boy had got to go to school until he was 17 years of age. Mr. Attewell said the boy was quite willing to go, but not" to be knocked about. Mr. Youlden said the boy would be of age at the end of the present month. Mr. Attewell said he wanted the boy to go to school until the end of the year. The superintendent said no trouble had ever occurred during the time he was present at the classes. In answer to the Magistrate, Mr. Youlden assured him that he would keep an eye on affairs during the evenings, and upon receiving this r.ssurance the Magistrate adjourned the case for a month. The second case was against Ernest Eph. Wright for failing to send his son, Cecil, who was under 17 years of age, to school. The charge was similar to that preferred against Mr. Attewell.

Mr. Wright admitted that his son had not attended the school. On one occasion he overheard a conversation that a number of the boys were going to wait for the master. In view of this he would not let his son go to school for fear he would land into trouble. He had explained the reason to the chairman of the school committee and the superintendent. The boy was over age, but he wanted to continue with his woodwork classes, but not English and arithmetic. The Magistrate said he was not disposed to investigate into these troubles unless an information for assault or disobedience had been laid. Mr. Youlden said Wright could finish the year out free of charge if he took English and arithmetic along with woodwork.

The Magistrate told defendants that he was not going to listen to statements about a schoolmaster when the latter was not present to defend himself. If a man had failed to send his boy to school for a valid reason he was not going to punish him. He did not know the right or wrongs of the case, but he was confronted with the question whether defendant kept his boy away from school for a bona fide reason. He believed, according to the statements of the de fendants, that they had acted in a bona fide manner. He informed defendants and the superintendent that if there was a case of assault or disobedience they could have the matter thrashed out before a Magistrate. The information was dismissed.

No Light. Lloyd Robinson was charged with committing a breach of the Tuakau Town Board by-laws on June 29, by riding a bicycle in Dominion Rond, Tuakau, without a light. Defendant did not appear, and was convicted and fined 5s and ordered to pay 7s Court costs. Constable' Thompson said defendpnt had ridden a bicycle without a light and had knocked an old man down. The old man was suffering from a bad arm as a result of the collision.

Application for Maintenance. Adjourned Until Next Court Day. An application for a separation and maintenance order was made by Lily Walsh against her husband, Lawrence Walsh, blacksmith at Buckland, on the grounds of persistent cruelty and failure to provide adequate maintenance. Compainant asked that nn order for £2 per week be made for maintenance, and an order for the guardianship of her children, Frederick Buchanan, aged G years; Kathleen Very May Wells, aged 10 years; and Robert Clarence Wells, aged 13 years. The case was adjourned until next Court day, on the application of counsel for defendant, Mr. P. H. Barley, on condition that Walsh contribute £1 per week towards her keep in the meantime. , Mr. J. G. Haddow represented petitioner, j