MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 263, 5 August 1915, Page 7

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

REGISTRY OFFICE CASE. DEPARTMENT v. H. B. DUNCAN. JUDGMENT RESERVED. (Continued from yesterday’s issue.) Mr Nathan, for defendant, said, with respect to the| first charge of having kept no book of fees, that was admit-

ted. Then as to keeping no book of engagement, the Inspector said there were no dates in th c book, but he submitter that the Act did not specify that dates must bej kept. The columns for putting down the length of engagement and rate of pay, were not filled in, but it could be seen that it was rather a difficult thing to do. Then as to failing to produce letters received, he submitted that that was not proved, for the letters were, open for the inspector, but he failed to appear at the appointed time. With respcjct to th e words “licensed registry offic e keeper,” he admitted (hat life card substantially followed the law, although it did not give the

exact words. The cards wore displayed •■n the office as well as In tb c window. As to the charge that he did not keep a scale of fees in a conspicuous place, , he; would state that the defendant had had a dispute with Mr Wheeler, of Tacroa. and had taken down tho notice to show him. It was replaced the next day. Mr Nathan submitted that all these cfiances wor c the result of Uunranco and wcr e net with the, indention of evading the law. The po- , . i r - u i often boon to th. 3 defendant’s office to inquire as to the whereabouts'* of men, but they had never made any mention that he had not got tho no-

tic e up. If they had done this and he had taken no notice it would bC| a different thing altogether. Defendant

supplied a want in th|e town, and the sawmillers wer e particularly pleased that he was here to supply men. Continuing, Mr Nathan said those

charges wepe serious for the defendant, and if h e was convicted, on three cf them, it would render him liable to hav e his lincepse cancelled. The offences were not done wilfully, and he bad not tried to evade the Inspector or injure th e me i n ni any way - With regard to the scale of fees, His Worship would see that it was taken on reasonable grounds. The words, “registry offic e keeper” were not on the window, but the words “licensed

by New Zealand Government.” were on the ofpe walls, on the stationery, and elsewhere. With (reference to the. letters for the Inspector, he submitted that all letters were there. The defendant gave evidence on his own bhalf on the lines indicated by Counsel’s address. Inspector Groun also %avo evidence.

His Worship asked why defendant had wilfully withheld his license from the Court. Judgment was reserved -until Satur-

day nu ruing. Mr Nathan submitted that it was not withheld wilfully.