MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 March 1921, Page 7

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

NEW PLYMOUTH CASES. The U'SilAI sitting of the Magistrate’s Court at .New Plymouth for police and by-laws caies was held on Thursday, Mr T.. A. B. Bailey, S.M., presiding. BOY PUT ON PROBATION. A boy named W’alter Shing was charged with the theft of a bicycle valued at £2 10s, the property of A. G. Connett, of Moturoa. The facts, as stated by DetectiveSergeant Cooney, were that Shing stayed with Connett for a time and left on February 2. The bicycle was missed the next day. Shing was seen wandering round one morning at four o'clock, and was also seen to ride away on a bicycle. When interviewed by Constable La Pouple he admitted taking the bicycle, and said he had left it inside the library fence. It had not been recovered. Shing explained, to the Court that he had been given permission to make use of the bicycle whenever he liked. Asked why he did not return the machine he waid he forgot it, Evidence was also given by Constable La Pouple. Shing was ordered to refund the value of the bicycle (£2 10s), *&nd also to pay costs £l, and was admitted to probation for twelve months, on condition that he reported monthly to the police. LIQUOR AMONG NATIVES. Arising out of a tangi at Pungarehu a native named Kahui was charged with supplying whisky to a number of Maoris, and another native, Tamahaka, was summoned on a charge of counselling Kahui to procure Qie liquor. Mr. A. A. Bennett appeared on behalf of both accused and pleaded guilty. In extenuation he pointed out that tbe offences were committed as the result of ancient Maori customjhthe liquor having been supplied principally to the ‘gravediggers, and this was an old practice, although it was ftgainst European laws. Inspector Hutton said the difficulty in Taranaki was that there was no Maori Council to deal with offenders, as existed on the East Coast and other places, and the police had to carry out the work, which caused a. good deal of trouble. In-reply to His Worship, Inspector Hutton said that it was not known where .the liquor was procured from, and the natives would not give any in-, formation on this point. Fines of £1 in each case were imposed, defendants also being ordered to pay court costs, 7s in each case, and translation fees ( £2). His Worship intimated that in, future cases penalties would be more severe. QUESTION OF A LICENSE. F. P. Corkill \ya,s charged, that not being the holder of a license he held himself out to be a land agent. Evidence was given by DetectiveSergeant Cooney that defendant had the sign “land agent” displayed on the window of his premises. He also had advertised in the papers, bqt \vhen questioned eaid the property referred to belonged to his wife. The sign on the premises had since beeii removed. Mr. R. H. Quilliam, who appeared for defendant, contended that by the mere displaying of the sign ou the premises defendant was not holding himself out as an agent. His Worship disagreed with counsel’s contention and entered a conviction against defendant. BREACHES OF BY-LAWS. L. Parker, who was covicted of exceeding the speed limit in Devon Street, was fined £2 and costs. For similar offences fines of £3 and costs were imposed against Cyril James and C. Revell. On a charge of driving a motor car at a speed dangerous to the* 1 public, A. Bulmer was fined £1 (costs 7s). For failing to drive his car round the corner of Devon and Brougham Streets in a proper manner, Harold E. Marsh was convicted and fined 10s (costs 7sj. P. Raill was fined £l, with ,costs 7s, for permitting a cow to wander in Whiteley Street. AFFILIATION. Application for an affiliation order was made by Ella May Shing, of Urenui, against S. J. Sutton, of Pukearuhe, in respect of her legitimate child, of which, it was alleged, defendant was father. After considerable evidence had been taken the hearing was adjourned till the first sitting of the Court after the Swter. .vaefttion.