MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 18, 21 May 1915, Page 6

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

TO-DAY’S SITTING. A. C. Walshe (Mr Malone) v. .1. H. Whitaker.—Judgment by default was entered for £9 9s and £1 Is costs. McCluggage Bros. (.Mr Malone) v. C. G. Nowell.—. Judgment by default £27 Is, costs £2 Ids. Dr. Steven (Mr Thomson) v. C. E. Sea bright.—Judgment by default was entered lor 15s, costs ss. .JUDGMENT SUMMONSES. I’bilip .Tank's was ordered to pay the Cash Tailoring Co. £0 Is Sd forthwith, default seven days’ imprisonment m New Plymouth gaol. Green and Colehrook, Ltd., v. "Walter Brown (Toko).— After hearing defendant’s evidence, Mr Thomson, for plaintiffs, asked that the application for an order he withdrawn. Iho application accordingly was withdrawn. DEFENCE OE THE REALM. ACT. Police v. F. Bevins.—Defendant was charged under the Defence of the Realm Act, with spreading false reports concerning the casualty lists in the Dardanelles. ■ Sergeant Dale, who prosecuted, stated that Bevins told several persons outside the local post office that Miss Kilpatrick had told him she.had received a wire stating that her brother had been killed. A constable warned defendant that he was committing an offence, ut defendant persisted, and went up and down town telling several people the same story. He then went out to Whangamomona, and there was given an opportunity to retract his statement. He refused to do so, and continued to spread the report. Hedid not think defendant spread the report out of any vindictiveness, but an excess of liquor had loosened his tongue. Mr Spence, for the defendant, entered a plea of guilty, inasmuch as defendant had morally done a great wrong, although technically, he thought, the section of the Act quoted did not cover the information. He appealed for- leniency, pleading that defendant was drinking heavily at the time of the offence, and had not recovered, He stated that defendant was willing.to have a prohibition order taken out against him. Defendant had not acted out of any malice, and was sorry for what he had done. His (Worship pointed out that the offeneeWas a very serious one with a maximum fine of £IOO. He advised defendant to give up drink and enlist. After a few weeks training he would be a different man. Tn view of the circumstances, he would impose a fine of £l. Court costs 13s, witnesses expenses 15s. Default seevn days imprisonment. Mr Spence asked for time for payment. He assured the Magistrate that defendant had work to go to and would soon raise the money. His Worship granted defendant 11 days in which to pay the line, and issued a prohibition order against defendant. MOTOR AT RAILWAY CROSSING. Police v. Taylor Harrison.—Defendant was charged with driving a motor car over a railway crossing as a train was approaching. George Hhnter, railway signalman, gave evidence that he saw a car proceeding along Regan Street, and as the north goods train was approaching, ho held up his hand to stop the car. Defendant stopped iii the middle of the road, hut just-as the train was at the cattle stops the ear moved on. although the train was only about live yards away. .Mr Stanford, who appeared for defendant, entered a plea of guilty, hut asked for. leniency. Defendant, he said, was a stranger to New Zealand, and was not conversant with the railway regulations or the by-laws. There was no deliberate attempt to break the by-law. His Worship stated that he would take into consideration the fact that defendant had stopped when requested, but, as this offence was becoming a frequent one, he would impose a fine of £1 and 7s costs. ADJOURNED CASES. Bredow v. McCluggage.—This case, which was adjourned sine die, will he further heard on 28th inst. Ashcroft v. Gamlin.—This case will be further heard on Wednesday morning, at 10 o’clock.