MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9031, 18 January 1908, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

MASTERTON-FRIDAY

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

Five boys were reprimanded and discharged for setting off fireworks in the borough on New Year's Eve. Michael Rock admitted charges of being drunk while in charge of a horse in Lincoln road, procuring liquor

during the currency of a prohibition order, and being found un licensed premises during the currency of a prohibition order against him. On the first charge a fine of 10s with 7s costs, in default 48 hours' imprisonment, was imposed, and on each of the other two charges the accused was fined 20s with 7s costs, " in default seven days' imprisonment, the sentences to be cumulative. Edward Jones pleaded guilty to a charge of procuring liquor for his son, Charles Jones, on December 21st, knowing the latter to be the subject of a prohibition order, and was fined 20s and costs. A charge of having used obscene lnaguage in Queen street was preferred against Cecil Dixon, who pleaded not guilty, and was represented by Mr C. A. Pownall. Evidenca. having been given for ; the prosecution as to ithe language .being used a fine of £2 with 15s 6d costs was imposed, in default 14 days' imprisonment. The Inspector of Factories, Mr G. E. A. Hood, proceeded against M. Caselberg, managing director of the W.FX.A., for paying a shop assistant an amount less than the minimum wage. Mr H. C. Robinson, who appeared for defendant, in admitting the offence, said it was very easy in a large establishment where there were a great many hands employed to overlook an increase in one of the employee's wages. The Bench imposed a fine of 20s? and 7s costs. George Walker was charged with a breach of the railway by-laws by viing insulting language to a railway officer in the execution of his duty. The evidence of Constable Townsend and two railway porters went to show that defendant, n commercial traveller, came on to the station platform with his luggage about two minutes before the departure of the afternoon train for Wellington, and wanted his luggage attended to. The* stationmaster (Mr F. Hill) informed him that he should have had his luggage on the platform at least five minutes before the time of the train's departure, whereupon defendant used language of an insulting nature. Defendant stated that the station- • master behaved in a provoking manner. The train was three minutes late in leaving, and the guard .informed him that it was not witness' fault but was due to the stationmaster's carryings-on. His Worship said he was not inclined to believe the statement regarding the stationmaster. That official must be protected in the execution of his duty. A fine of 20s with 21s costs would be imposed. Sue Young was charged by his wife, Maggie Young, with wife desertion. Mr C. A. Pownall appeared for the complainant, and Mr P. L. Hoi lings for the defendant. The Magistrate, after hearing evidence, said it was not a case in which he would be justified in making any order.