MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 227, 29 October 1914, Page 8

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M.) DRUNKS. Two male first offenders for drunkenness were fined 5/- each, with the usual option. John Toon, a veteran, 70 years of age, was called for a first offence of drunkenness in Colombo Street, and for having wilfully damaged a constable's macintosh valued at £2 10/-. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of drunkenness, and said he was not aware of having damaged the Mr Bishop informed him that he' was in a fair way to lose, his pension, convicted him of drunkenness, and ordered him to pay £2 10/-, the value of the macintosh. Mary Wakeham, 131 years of age, for having been drunk on the railway station,. a second offence in the past six months, was fined 10/-, in default 48 hours' imprisonment. Margaret Williams, with three previous convictions against her for the past six months, and showing a lengthy record generally, was sentenced to 14 days' hard labour for an offence of drunkenness in Linwood. Lewis Fmdlay, for having been found drunk in the public bar of the New Zealander Hotel, was fined 10/-, in default 48 hours. For having behaved in a disorderly manner while drunk in Manchester Street, James Joyce was fined 10/-, with the usual alternative, the Senior-Ser-geant explaining that he was found on the footpath threatening to fight a crowd standing round him. His brother, Thomas Joyce, for obstructing a police constable while he was arresting his brother James, was fined 20/-, in default seven days' imprisonment. John Brown, for having been drunk while in charge of a horse and cart in the Main Road, Prebbleton, was fined 20/-, in default seven days' detention, and for having made use of obscene language at the same time a further fine of 60/-, in default one month's imprisonment, was imposed. .... - PITY, NOT BLAME. Charles Thomas Woodward appeared for failing to provide maintenance for his wife, Edith Clara Woodward. I Mr Cassidy appeared for the accused, stating that he was a man more to be pitied than blamed." He had suffered severely from a paralytic stroke. For a long period he lived in Canada, and since he came bac.: he had tried ineffectually to get work here. At last he wandered over the Port Hills to Lyttelton to try and beg a passage to Wellington in order to endeavour to get work there. The wife was in Court, and said it "was 17 years since she received any J support from her husband. She thought he was going to depart for Canada again, and she didn't want him to do that. When he disappeared a search party was sent out for him. Mr Bishop: What was your purpose in getting him arrested? The Wife: How was I to get him otherwise? Mr Bishop: There is a medical certificate here to the effect that h > is incapable of working. He's discharged. Mr Cassidy: There_is a sordid storg in connection with this, - but I needn't trouble your Worship with it. - Mr Bishop: Yes, there usually is in these cases. CIVIL BUSINESS. Judgment for plaintiff by default was given- in veach -of the following undefended actions:—A. G. Talbot v. D. McD. Robinson, £5; H. Berry and Co. v. Alfred Downing, £1; Maling and Co. v. John Edward Cooper, 17/- costs; Commissioner of Taxes v. Harry Hodges, £6 17/6; same v. Fredk. Wm. Lord, £4 2/6; same v. Alex. Stark, £26 9/4; J. Ballantyne and Co. v. Geo. Fredk. Powell, £ll 1/9; Fredk. Chas. Hunt v. Wm. Blake, £3 2/5; W. Strange and Co., Ltd., v. Lizzie Burrowes, £2l 5/6; Royds Bros, and Kirk, Ltd., v. Allan McCallum, £77 12/2: Massey, Harris Co., Ltd. v. W. H. "walker, £2l 10/9; W. Strange and Co., Ltd., v. Christopher Jensen, £2 1/10; same v. Henry Greenfield, £7 18/4; E. Reese and Son v. G. C. Smith, £l2 0/8; L. W. Balkind v. W m - Virgin, 8/-;. Mary Jane Harris v. Arthur Waugh, £8 0/6; Geary and Yates v. Jas. Weston, £6 14/6; Maling and Co. v. H. Norton, £2 19/1; same v. J. H. Powis, 5/- costs; Christehurch Meat Co., Ltd., v. J. Crowe, £1 5/7; All Blacks Manufacturing Co. v. C. J. Ellison, £3; same v. L. Emmanuel, £l6 9/9; John Mantan v. W. Missen, £l3 10/2; J. J. Parsons v. Robt. Dodds, 17/6. DEFENDED ACTION. George William Watkins (Mr Cassidy) sued William Smith (Mr Johnston) for £lO. The dispute over the amount was the result of betting operations carried on by the parties. After hearing evidence the Magistrate gave judgment for defendant and made no order as to costs. LYTTELTON. (Before Messrs W. Radcliffe and J. R. Webb, J.P.'s.) A FREE PASSER. John McDonald was charged with travelling from Wellington to Lyttelton on October 28 vsithout paying his fare. He was further charged with at Wellington assaulting Roderick Campbell. Senior-Sergeant Ryan explained that the man had been allowed on board by the quartermaster under the impression that he was a member of the crew. Afterwards he was detected by the purser and ordered to leave the* ship; When going off he accused the quartermaster of giving him away, and struck him on the ear. He afterwards rushed on board again, and was not discovered until this morning. Evidence was given by Roderick Campbell. Accused admitted striking CampbelJ with his open hand, though at first he stated that he simply pushed him to one side. Oh the first charge he was fined 20/- and the amount of the fare, 13/6, in default seven days' imprisonment. On the charge of assault he was fined 20/-, or seven days' imprisonment.