VICIOUS DOG

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 280, 8 September 1939, Page 6

VICIOUS DOG

ORDERED TO BE DESTROYED. SMALL BOY 9EVERELY BITTEN. OWNER BEFORE THE COURT. In the Ashburton Alagistrate’s Court this mornjng, before Mr H. Alorgan, S.M., Oscar Padma*i was charged with being the owner of a. dog that had attacked a person on a highway, .. It was stated that the dog had attacked a hoy, biting him and standing over him till defendant came to the rescue. The boy was operated on and was still in hospital. Defendant had admitted that the dog had bitten him (defendant) on other occasions. The police asked that the dog be destroyed. Defendant said the dog had bitten him when he thrashed another of his dogs for doing wrong. Defendant was fined £2, with 10? j costs, and an order was made that the dog should ho destroyed within 24 hours. Convicted of Theft. Alargaret Whitla (Air G. C. Nicoll) pleaded not- guilty to haying stolen a gold watch, gold chain and greenstone pendant, valued at £7 10s, the property of Robert James Patterson, at Winchmore, on January 7.

Robert James Patterson said he left the articles on the dressing table of the room he occupied in a house where accused was housekeeper. He returned after a week-end away, and the articles were missing. He had spoken to accused several times since, but she had not mentioned the watch to him. Accused’s three-year-old son was fond of playing with articles in his (witness’s) room. Detective-Sergeant J. McClung, of Christchurch, said he went to accused’s home with a police matron and a constable. Accused said it was unfair , to, question her and said she knew nothing about it. When she was asked if she would allow her room to be searched she handed over the watch, saying she had found it in her child’s playbox and had not said anything about it for fear that she might be accused of stealing it. Her son had frequently brought pieces of money out of Patterson’s room. Corroborative evidence was given by Police Alatron It. Annabelle. Accused said she knew of the watch being missed and she reported it to the police at Ashburton. That was early in January. She found the watch in the playbox on August 8, when sho was putting out toys for her son before she went to the races at Christchurch. She had seen the owner two or three times since then, but had not been able to speak to him privately. After accused had- given evidence, the Alagistrate said that her story was not compatible with innocence. An opportunity ,was offered on several occasions to tell the owner about the watc-h for she had seen him four times in ten days. When accused found the watch she had not told the police. “In my opinion the case has been proved and accused must be convicted.” Accused was sentenced to two years’ probation. Railway Line Not Clear. John Frederick Harris, charged with, having crossed a railway line when it was not clear, was fined £2, with 12s costs. It was stated that a lorry loaded with logs was being towed by another (similarly loaded) and went over the saleyards crossing with only inches to spare, though the engine ..of an approaching train gave a long blast when the lorries were seen. It was a wet night. Rifle Lent to Boy. Edward Aforley, was charged with having supplied a pea-rifle and ammunition to a person under 1G years of age. It was stated that defendant, a farmer, gave the boy the rifle to shoot .a hawk, but tlio boy kept it for nine days and was seen walking on the roads and the railway lino with the weapon. Defendant was fined £l, with 12s. costs. Third Breach of Order. Thomas Stanley White was charged with having procured liquor during the currency of a prohibition order and pleaded guilty. He was represented by Air Russell. It was stated that defendant had already been twice convicted for breaches of the order. Air Russell said that defendant had told his friends that he had offered his services to the Air Force, .aiid there had been a small, celebration. The Magistrate said he remembered he.had said he would send defendant to an institution lor his own benefit, but in view of the statement made by counsel, he would not take the step. If defendant joined the Air Force he would not be much good to them unless he kept away from liquor. He should do his part like a man. Defendant was fined £3, with 10s costs. Traffic Offences. Mary J. Davison, charged with having driven a car when she did not have a licence, was fined £l, with 12s costs. Frederick Donald Kirdy was charged with having failed to carry a warrant, of fitness. He was fined £1 10s, with 10s costs. James Aferyyn Stoddart, similarly charged, was fined 10s, with 12s costs. Alarjory Frances AlcKeage, on a like charge, was fined 10s, with 12s costs. Arthur Campbell Turtou was fined 10s, with 10s costs, for failing to have a red rear reflector on his bicycle. Civil Business. Judgment for plaintiff by default was given in each of the following cases:— Russell and Co., Ltd. (Air V. W. Russell) v. L. A. Wilcox, £5 Is, with £1 14s 6d costs; J. Aleikle (Mr R. Kennedy) v. J. Hudson, £1 3s 2d, with 10s costs. 9 In a judgment summons ease, AI. Beavan was ordered to pay £2 12s to the Para Rubber Co. (Air Russell) on or before October 20. in default three days in gaol.