ELTHAM.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1921, Page 6

ELTHAM.

MAGISTRATE’S COURT. YESTERDAY’S SITTING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Eltham. Nov. 21. Mr. A. M. Mowlem, S.M., presided at a sitting of the Eltham Magistrate’s Court to-day L. P. Stretton applied for exemption from drill on the grounds that his work would hot permit of his attending parade. Exemption was granted until the end of March, so long as he remained in his present employment. Thomas Kay was charged with driving a vehicle across the level railwayj crossing at Eltham within half a mile of an approaching engine. Constable Townsend said that Kay (who did not appear) had admitted the offence. He had only got across the railway line with a few yards to spare. Defendant had explained that owing to a quantity of timber being stacked in the Egmont Box Company's yards he had not been able to see the train approaching. Fined £2 and costs 7a. CIVIL CASES. Judgment for plaintiff by default was given in the following cases: F. W. Lunn v. Thomas Jackson, £32 12s 2d and £4 6s 3d costs; J. Scanlon v. Jamn Joseph Cullen. £6 5s (£2 6s) : James Robert Bovd v. C. Vincent, £2 Sa 6d (£1 12s 6dl; same v. George Hill. £Q2 10s 6d ( £3 2s); Wilson s Motor Supplies, Ltd. v. Jens Peter Berntsen. £S 10a 2d ( £1 10s 6d). Orders were made as follows in judgment summons cases: Joseph Tavlor v- F. Hickey. £l9 17s 3d, to be paid within three months, in default 20 days’ imprisonment: P. W. Allen and Co. v. Frank Gamtt. £l2 IDs, to be paid within two months, in default 14 days’ PIG HUNTING DEFENCE RIFLES. The sequel to a pig hunting expedition was heard, when six youths were brought up on various charges resulting from the borrowing of the Defence Department's rifles. They were charged with stealing ..W» ammunition with which to shoot pigs. Edward Guillossou was charged with stealing ammunition to the value of £1 13s, and another charge of stealing ammunition to the value of • £1 13s was preferred against Edward James Curtis. Arthur James Mancer and George Roy Greig (the latter two being represented by Mr. Sheatj- Cecil Rowland Newson was charged with receiving 158 rounds of .308 ammunition to the value of £1 13s, knowing it to have been unlawfully obtained. Guillosson was also charged with a breach of his probation license. Constable Townsend said that on or about October 19 Guillosson and another had gone to the Athenaeum Hall at Eltham, which was rented by the Defence Department, had got through the front door and broken intp a little room in which rifles were stored. Guillosson had taken out three rifles and several rounds of ammunition which had been stored in a building at the back of the hall until Labor Day, when the rifles and ammunition were taken out on a pig shooting expedition. After returning from the shooting the boys had put the rifles back, but had kept the ammunition. Witness had interviewed Greig, Curtis and Mancer and secured statements from them. Mancer had stated that he knew Greig was going to the Athenaeum Hall to get the rifles to go pig shooting. He had gone I out shooting. Curtis had stated that Guillosson had given him some awnunition. He knew Guillosson was going to get rifles out. of the hall. Greig had stated that Guillosson had asked him to go pig shooting, and had said he would get rilles. He went to the hall with Guillosson. who opened the front door and went in. He stayed outside and Guillosson brought out some rifles. George Roy Greig said in evidence that the statement which he had given the constable was not strictly correct. He did go into the hall, and he brought out a rifle. He did not touch any ammunition and did not go out shooting. Arthur James Mancer said in evidence that he had nothing to do with removing the ammunition or rifles. He had fired one round and knew the rifles and ammunition were stolen. He had not helped to take the rifles back. Guillos«on had placed the rifles back. He knew thax the door of the hall eould be opened without a key. Cecil Rowland New=on pleaded guilty to receiving 158 round - o f -303 ammunition valued at £1 13s, knowing them ''"‘to have been unlawfully obtained. The magistrate, addressing Curtis, Mancer. Greig and Newson, said all four would be admitted to probation for twelve months, and during that rime they must not leave their homes at night without the consent of their fathers or mothers. He hoped he would not see any of them back again. They had had their last chance as far as the court was concerned. To Guillosson the magistrate said that it appeared he had not learned his lesson. He bad been charged with the serious crime of breaking and entering and admitted to probation, and now he was guilty of a similar charge again- It was perfectly plain that be could xot go on like that. He would be convicV *d on the charge of stealing the ammulition. and for the breach of his proba;ion order he would be senten ed to jDpriwonment for one month.