MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 91, 27 January 1928, Page 5

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

DRUNK ON MOTOR-CYCLE.

FINE OF TEN POUNDS IMPOSED. DE-LICENSED TILL JULY. In the Magistrate’s Court this morning, before Mr C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., Audlcy Harold Pocock was charged (1) with, having been found drunk while in charge of a. motor-cycle on the Main South Road, (2) with having driven a motor-cycle without having the proper number-plates' attached, and (3). with having no license to drive. He pleaded guilty to all the charges. Senior-Sergeant H. Martin said defendant had lost his plates and did not seem to care. He was found yesterday with the motor-cycle on top of him and when people went to lift him clear he was very abusive. Eventually the police brought him to Ashburton. I» reply to the Magistrate, defendant said he was on his way home when he fell off hisl machine. He did not often take liquor. On the first charge, defendant was fined £lO and costs 10s, on the second £2 and costs 3s, and on the third £1 and costs 3s. He was also forbidden to obtain a< license till July 31, and was allowed a week m which to find the money.

Unregistered! Motor-Truck. A charge of being an idle and disorderly person, in that he did not have sufficient lawful means of support, was preferred against Basil Muller, who was also charged with having a motor-truck at Methven without having a driver’s license. Senior-Sergeant Martin stated that he had learned 1 that defendant vvas making an endeavour to earn his living, and he (the speaker) wished that the charge be adjourned for a month. On the other charge, defendant was fined 20s and costs) 3s.

The Magistrate refused to suppress the name of defendant.

Discharge of Rifle. Ern&st James Mills pleaded guilty to a charge of having, discharged a firearm to the danger of passers-by in Nelson Street. Senior-ISergeant Martin said' defendant had a service rifle, which he dis>charged, the bullet crossing the road, penetrated the wall of a house, and embedded itself in a duchess in a room where a child was sleeping. A tin box in which the bullet stopped was exhibited. It was badly torn. Defendant, it was stated, had denied discharging the rifle, but later admitted it. ;

Defendant said he did not know there was a bullet in the rifle when lie pulled the trigger. A fine of £3 and costs* 10s was imposed, two weeks being allowed in which to pay the amount.

A Charge Withdrawn. Charged with having worked at his calling on a Sunday, Alfred Vessey, a motor-car salesman, pleaded not guilty. He was represented by Dir C. G. de C. Drury. On a charge of having used an unregistered car, Vessey pleaded guilty. The police then withdrew the first charge, which was an alternative charge. Mr Drury said defendant had taken the car, which was new, and had given a friend a ride. He was new to the work and did not know the altered regulations, though that was no excuse. The Magistrate said he thought _ a good deal of this was done, ears being taken out for joy rides and then sold as new. A fine of 10s and costs 10s was imposed. No Driver’s Licenses. J. A. McClintock was charged with having driven a car when he did not hold a license to do so. He was fined £2 # and costs 10s. No Light on Motor.

W. R. Smythe was fined 10s and costs 3s on a.charge of having driven a motor cycle in East Street at night ‘without having a lighted lamp attached.