WAITARA S.M. COURT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 235, 9 February 1911, Page 2

WAITARA S.M. COURT

(From Our Own Correspondent)

BOGUS PROHIBITION ORDERS. Albert Thomas Lake, proprietor of the i Club Hotel, pleaded guilty to having de- | livered to one Peter Lawson a form pur- j porting to be a prohibition order. Constable Lapouple gave evidence that on the last Court day two prohibitions forms were abstracted from the oflice, one of which was handed to Lawson by defendant. Mr. Stead, who appeared for plaintiff, said that one Taylor, who had come from the Court that morning, handed to defendant in the hotel the form produced, and defendant thought it hud come from the Court in a bona fide manner, and treated it accordingly. His Worship said in that case lie should not plead guilty. Defendant then withdrew the plea and pleaded not guilty. Constable Lapouple, who laid the charge, said that owing to the altered plea he must ask for an adjournment to allow him to call witnesses, as he had understood defendant intended pleading guilty, and that therefore there" would be no necessity for hie witnesses. An adjournment was granted to next Court day. Herbert Taylor was also charged with aiding Albert Thomas Lake in circulating a false judicial order. Defendant, who was represented by Mr. Wilkes, pleaded 'guilty. Constable Lapouple gave evidence of the complaint being made to him by one Lawson of the receipt of a prohibition order form supposedly signed by the presiding S.M., which had been handed to him by A. T. Like, and which paper was made out by defendant. Mr. Wilkes stated that the whole thing was a practical joke, and one whose gravity the defendant did not realise at the time. He was sorry for his action, which was not malicious. His Worship pointed out the seriousness pi first abstracting from the Court a document, which was tantamount to theft; and, secondly, signing it as purporting to come from tne Bench. Thi» was practically a forgery. It might have been meant as a joke, but it was beyond that, and was a serious matter. Defendant was liable to a fine of £2O, but a3 he had pleaded guilty and it was intended as a joke he would be fined £2 and costs. A LODGE AND ITS DOCTOR. Dr. Claridge (Wilson and Grey) v. S. G. Fraser (Mr. Roy).—This was a claim for services rendered by plaintiff to the Foresters' Lodge as medical officer. The claim was admitted by defendant. A counter claim was put in for the sum of £ll lis, and £1 16s 9d was paid into Court. The counter-claim was made for services rendered by another medical man during the time Dr. Claridge was incapacitated for some months through an accident. J. G. Russell, secretary of the Court Raleigh Lodge, gave evidence that no notice had been received of Dr. Claridge having appointed a substitute. During his absence. Lodge members had made claims for amounts paid by thern for medical fees and the Lodge had paid the amounts. Defendant stated he had not received notice from Dr. Claridge as to the appointment of a substitute during the doctor's absence. He had made a claim during that time owing to an accident. Did not go to the surgery to see the doctor, but to Mr. Ogle's. The time was between U a.m. and noon. To the counsel: The doctor's hours at the surgery were from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., according to agreement.

Evidence was given by Mr. Ogle and Dr. Claridge. The latter gave evidence to the effect that he had appointed a substitute during his absence, and that only one case need have been attended to by another medical man. He had been prepared and able to attend all other cases claimed for, and he stated further that no lodge member had signed the call book, such being a proviso in the agreement.

D. George, who was paying doctor's fees to the local lodge, stated that Dr. Fookes, at the request of Dr. Claridge, had medically attended his wife. Counsel was calling other witnesses, but the Magi.stra.te held that they were not material. Plaintiff's counsel aMted that the ca'se be_ adjourned to New Plymouth, to take evidence from tlnve medical men. This was agreed to. AN ADJOURNMENT. The case of Mrs. Stewart (Mr. Rov) v. D. O. Shute (Messrs. Wilson and Grey) was adjourned till next Court day upon the application of defendant, on payment of costs, £1 ss. UNDEFENDED CASES. Judgment by default was given in the following eases:—Pascoe Bros. (Mr. Wilkes) v. James Smith, cost only, £2 0s 3d; R. Pepperill (Wilson and Grey) v. William B. Cox, claim £3 10s, edsts 10s; A. C. Marr (Mr. Stead) v. John F. Reece, claim 19s Id, costs ss; W. Lonergan (Wilson and Grey) v. Eric Harding, claim £4 as, costs 10s; W. P. Snell (Mr. Stead) v. Joseph and Jane Tavlor, claim £22 19s, costs £3 .Is; Dr. Claridge (Wilson and Grey) v. William James Jones, claim £2 3s od, costs 10s.