MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 87, 23 January 1942, Page 2

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

FINE FOR THEFT OF PETROL SIPHONED'FROM A BUS Charged with stealing a small quantity of petrol valued at 2s 4d, the property of Mid-Canterbury Transport, James Moncreith Glenie, a freezing works employee, Ashburton, pleaded guilty before Mr H. Morgan, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court this morning,

Senior-Sergeant J. F. Cleary said' that Glenie had siphoned the petrol from a bus in the yard of Mid-Canter-bury Transport. A constable found the siphon running and Glenie admitted that the tin was his. For the accused, Mr W. H. Woods said that Glenie was a married man aged 28 years with one child and had no motor-car in which to use the petrol. He stated that he wanted it to clean clothes. He had a good record at the freezing works and his employees did, not want to lose him. “If there are any more of these cases the offenders will not be able to save themselves going to prison,” said the Magistrate, who imposed a fine of £5. Failed to Give Way.

A charge of failing to give way to traffic on his right was preferred against Edward Riches, of Geraldine. A written plea of guilty was entered. Senior-Sergeant Cleary stated that the charge arose from an accident at the corner of Moorfe and ESst Streets, where Riches turned over his car in attempting to avoid a motor-bus. The driver and three passengers suffered from shock. A fine of £2 with costs 10s was imposed. Cycling Without Light. For cycling at night without a light Thomas Stanley White (Ashburton), Ronald Leslie Bull (Mayfield) and Fife William Brian (Ashburton)) were each fined 10s and costs. Negligent Driving. Roland Bullivant, a traveller, of Christchurch, who did not appear, was charged with negligently driving- a motor-car at Rakaia. Constable A. Adams said that defendant overtook another car, driving across its nose so closely that the drivver of the overtaken car was compelled to swerve suddenly, and his vehicle overturned, injuring three persons. John Wass, Christchui’ch, said he was driving the car which was overtaken. AS the other car passed him, he felt a bump on the front of his car. He swerved suddenly to the left, losing control, after which his car overturned. He and two other persons were locked in the car. Bullivant and a soldier gave assistance. . . Bullivant was fined £5 and was ordered to pay £3 9s Gd costs. Civil Cases.. Judgment for plaintiff by default was given in the following cases: — W. J. Moore, Ltd., v. Arthur Bull, £ 3 7s 6d with costs £1 4s 6d: Hallenstein Bros. v. C. H. Ireland, £4 Is sd, with costs £1 3s 6d; Radio Centre Ltd. v. Kenneth Reid £2 15s, with costs £1 3s 6d; L. J. Cooper v. R. F. Beadle, £3 Gs lid with costs £1 4s Gd; D. M. .Curran v. C. H. Ireland Jun. £3 8s Id, with costs £1 3s 6d; Ashburton County Council v. P. J. Reeves £l2 9s 4d with costs £2 0s Gd; same v. P. J. Reeves, £4 5s Gd, with costs 18s Gd.