S.M. COURT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 February 1940, Page 6

S.M. COURT

SITTING IN MASTERTON. SEQUEL TO ASSAULT AT GREYTOWN. The fortnightly sitting of the Masterton Magistrate’s Court was held this morning. Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M., being on the Bench. Charged with having assaulted a Chinese. Norman Gee Dong. having used obscene language within the hear-j ing of people in West Street, Greytown, and with having damaged cell fittings to the value of 6s. the property of the New Zealand Government, at Greytown on January 25. Robert Boyce, aged 44 years, of Masterton, was fined £l. £5, and £1 and 6s costs on the respective charges. On similar charges, Percy Thomas Gooding, aged 65 years, of Masterion, was also fined the same amounts, while on a charge of having been intoxicated while in charge of a motor vehicle in Main Street. Greytowrf, on January 25 Gooding was fined £l5. his driver’s licence being endorsed, and cancelled for 12 months. Both defendants wore allowed one month in which to pay the fines. .Outlining the case for the police. Senior-Sergeant G. A. Doggett stated that Gooding had kicked and struck with his fist, a Chinese in Greytown on January 25. Boyce had also struck the Chinese on the jaw. Both men were in extremely quarrelsome moods, and when arrested, on the information of the Chinese, later destroyed cell fittings at the Greytown police station. Owing to their conduct it had been necessary to remove the men to Masterton at 12.30 a.m., on the night in question. On the intoxication charge, against Gooding, there was no evidence as to his manner of handling the car.

Mr C. C. Marsack. who appeared for Boyce, stated that the situation had arisen through Boyce going out with a friend to celebrate his enlistment with the military forces. Boyce had never been before the court before, and had apologised to the Chinese concerned.

Mr R. R. Burridgc. who appeared for Gooding, stated that he had been employed by a firm of local builders'for a period of thirty years and possessed a good character. Both men had been very drunk. In evidence Constable Gregor of Greytown, stated that Boyce and Gooding, after being arrested, used very strong language at the top of their voices, which could be heard by people passing by from the theatre. “It was fortunate for Gooding that he was intercepted at that particular stage,'' stated Mr Lawry in dealing with the men. “Otherwise I would have had no option but to send him to gaol if he had caused an accident.’’ Richard Stanley Tyacke was fined £3 and 10s costs on a charge of having driven a motor truck on the Mas-terton-Castlepoint Main Highway at Tinui, on December 23. 1939, and having failed to keep the vehicle as close as possible to the left of the roadway. MT T. Jordan appeared for Tyacke. the police case being conducted by Senior-Sergeant G. A. Doggett, who stated that the charge arose out of a minor accident which had occurred on December 23.

On a charge of having operated a motor on the Mount Bruce Main Highway, on December 23, 1939, without having a warrant of fitness in the vehicle, as required by the regulations. James Burling was fined £1 and 12s. Charged with having carried on a goods-service, on December 13, 1939, in a controlled area, namely, West Bush Road. Masterton. otherwise than in pursuance.to the authority of a goods service licence issued under Transport Goods Order, 1936. Malcolm David Sim. of Masterton. was lined £1 and 10s costs.

Mr W. G. Milne, of the Transport Department. proceeded against Ronald K. Grieve on a charge of having driven a motor vehicle along the Mount Bruce Main Highway, on January 2. 1940, in a manner which might have been dangerous to the public. Grieve, who was represented by Mr J. K. Logan, was fined £2 and 10s costs. CIVIL CASES. Judgment for plaintiff by default was given in the following undefended civil claims: N. R. Cunningham v R. Buick, claim £8 5s 6d. costs £2 2s 6d; Commissioner of Taxes v C. Gartner, claim £2 18s 7d, costs 9s; Jones and Joyce Ltd v Alfred Roy Cottle, claim £1 19s 3d, costs 19s; P. Ryan v. C. E. Blake, claim £43 2s 7d, costs £4 2s 6d: P. Ryan v E. Brenkley. claim £ll 16s lOd. costs £1 11s.