MAGISTERIAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7819, 11 June 1909, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBURTON, FRIDAY, JUNE 11. (Before Mr V. G Day, S.M.) A FIRST OFFENDER. A lad (a first offender) was charged with stealing a saddle, one pair of carriage lamps, three stable head-stalls, and three pairs of carriage lamps. The defendant pleaded guilty. It was stated that the property Tiad been restored. ■ , ' The accused was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. INSUFFICIENT LIGHT. E D. Box, charged on the information of the Inspector for the' County Council with riding a bicycle across the Ashburton traffic bridge on May 17, after sundown, without having a proper light attached, pleaded not guilty. Mr Purnell appeared for the County Council. . A fine of 5s and costs was imposed. ASSAULT. John McGinn (Mr Buchanan) was charged on the information of •■Thomas Gibson, with assaulting him on May The complainant described how the defendant had came to his shop m East Street, and after purchasing confectionery asked if there was any whisky m the place. Words led to a tussle, after which the defendant left, but returned m company with another, and assaulted him. Damage was done m the shop by McGinn to the value of 16s. Henry Davis said he was passing Gibson's shop on the night of May 31, and hearing a disturbance he entered the shop, and saw on Gibson marks, whioh were seemingly the result- of a scuffle. Each complained of the other to him. Mr Buchanan said his client would withdraw his plea of not guilty and would plead guilty. Thereupon the Magistrate imposed a fine of 20s, one half to go to the defending counsel. CHARGE AGAINST A MOTORIST. Sydney Frederick Napper was charged, on the information of the police, with driving a motor car through one of the streets of Ashburton at a pace exceeding 8 miles an hour. The defendant was represented by Mr Buchanan, who put m a plea of not guilty, and held that as no sign boards had been placed within the borough, by which motorists could acquaint themselves with the nature of ■ the by-law, his client was under no obligation to observe it. It was admitted by counsel that the car had travelled at an excessive speed. His Worship said he could not pass over such an offence lightly. From what he had learned, the motorists were trying to race the express. He would impose a fine of £10 and costs. ALLEGED BREACH OP THE LIQUOR LAWS. Albert Whitaker was charged, on the information of the police, with keeping liquor for sale within the No-license district of Ashburton, and also with selling liquor without a license. Mr Purnell, who appeared for the defendant applied for a further adjournment, as he had not been able to react all the men he needed as witnesses. . Sergeant Fouhy opposed the adjournment, holding that Mr Purnell had been given ample time m which to prepare himself. His Worship did not think that justice would be interfered with by a further adjournment, and one was granted for a fortnight. CIVIL CASES. ' Barkley Burnside v. James Stoddart (Mr Buchanan), a claim for 22s 6d — one week's wages m lieu of notice. The claimant tad been engaged as a ploughman by Stoddart' through a labour agent, but the agent had been authorised to obtain the services of a man several weeks before one was sent, and when Burnside arrived another man had been engaged by Stoddart himself. It was admitted by the defendant that lie did not countermand the order fiven to the labour agent, whom Tie ad "instructed to procure a man. Judgment was given for the plaintiff. John Burgess and Son (Mr Acland) v. W. H. Collins (Mr Purnell), a claim for £4 Is 6d. Judgment was given for defendant. . JUVENILE COURT. A boy charged m the Juvenile Court with throwing stones into the Oddfellows' . Hall while an entertainment was m progress, was convicted.and discharged with a caution. OLD AGE PENSION COURT. At the Old Age Pension Court two applications for'ftill pensions, and aj number of renewals, were granted.