MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 71, 22 September 1915, Page 8

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., presided at to-day's sitting of the Magistrate's Court. A number of inebriates were dealt with, including four first offenders. Three of these were convicted and discharged, and the other was fined ss. Joseph Reginald Harding denied that he was drunk yesterday for the fourth time recently. He said he was liable to fits, and was suffering from one when arrested. The constable ga>ye contradictory evidence, and Harding was convicted and fined 40s, in default seven days in gaol. James Clark, Robert Matthews, and James Macintosh were each fined 20s, with the usual alternative, and William Smith Wilson, 10s. Robert Ross, charged with committing an indecent act in Haining-street, did not appear. He was fined £3, in default fourteen days in custody. For drunkenness he was fined 10s. Later in the day Mr. W. Perry appeared on Ross's behalf, and, after explaining the special circumstances, asked that the fine on the major charge be reduced. His Worship said he was not prepared to accede to such a request. The bail was sufficient to pay the fine imposed, and Ross should have attended to answer the charge. A young man named George Albert MrNicholl was charged with assaulting James M'llveen. v Inspector Hendrey said that as a result of his treatment M'llveen was spending a morning in the dentist's chair, and would probably, lose several teeth. Consequently a remand was granted* until Friday, bail 'being fixed at £10. It was mentioned that M'Nicholl was an Industrial School boy, still under the control of the authorities. Andrew Julius Findlay, who appeared to answer three charges of having committed an unnatural offence, was further remanded for one week. The application was made by Mr. P. W. Jackson, on behalf of Mr. T. M. Wilford. Bail was renewed. Peter Cornelius Trainer was charged with obtaining the sum of £4 from William West by means of a false pretence. He pleaded not guilty and, through Mr. G. G. Watson, elected to be tried summarily. West alleged that he gave Trainer the money on the strength of a promise made by the latter to secure him employment. The work was not forthcoming. His Worship said the evidence was not strong enough to convict accused, and the information was therpfore dismissed.