MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8453, 1 June 1907, Page 6

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

MASTERTON—FRIDAY

(Before Mr W. P. James, S.M.)

A first offender was fined ss, in default 24 hours' imprisonment, for having been drunk. Peter Downie pleaded guilty to a charge of having used obscene language in the Club Hotel on May 30th. May Russell, barmaid at the Club Hotel, and T. Porter, licensee of the hotel, deposed to accused using obscene language. Downie was further charged with the theft of a sharpen ing-stone valued at 4s, the property of the W.F.C.A. ;.also the theft of a towel and comb, valued at Is 6d, the property of some person unknown. Accused pleaded not guilty to both charges. Hugh Richards and Alfred Whitton, employees at the W.F.C.A., stated that the accused was in the shop on Thursday last. He did not purchase anything, but the stone was missed after he had left the shop. Both witnesses recognised the stone found on accused as belbnging to the W.F.C.A. Accused stated that he did not remember stealing the stone. The towel, he said, was his own property. The Magistrate said that accused would be sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment with hard labour for having used obscene language, and for the theft of the sharpening stone he would be fined 40s, in default 14 days' imprisonment. The charge of theft of the towel and comb was held over. John Cotterill was fined ss, in default 24 hours' imprisonment for having been drunk. On a charge of theft of a knife, two forks, a spoon and serviette, the property of Elizabeth Maltby, he was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment. F. S. Hunt and H. E. Godnell pleaded guilty to a charge of having 'exposed sheep infected with lice in a public saleyard, and were each fined 40s, with 7s.costs. Fred. O'Connor was charged with a breach of the County Wheel Tyre Bylaw. Defendant submitted a written statement in which he said that he was not aware that the by-law was in force all the year, but only at certain periods. Vincent Garrett, County roadman, gave evidence as to accused driving a waggon on the Taueru Road with tyres that were not of the width required by the by-law. A fino of 20s, with £2 3s costs was imposed. Dr. Trimble appeared for the County Council. Harry Scott admitted a charge of having procured liquor during the currency of a prohibition order against him, and was fined 10s without costs. Mr C. A. Pownall appeared for the accused. A prohibition order was issued against a local resident on the application of his father.