THE COURTS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20414, 8 December 1931, Page 7

THE COURTS.

♦ MAGISTERIAL. MONDAY. (Before Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M.) CHARGE DISMISSED. Garfield Mclvie, aged 3G, a barman at the Shades Hotel, pleaded not guilty to ft charge of stealing a man's liat, valued at £2,. the property of Sydney Clive Humphreys. Tho Magistrate dismissed the charge under Section 18 of the Offenders' Probation Act, on the condition that McKie jshould pay damages and costs and that he should pay 10s into the Court poor-box. TRAFFIC CASES. Frank G. Bristed was fined 20s and costs for driving at a speed dangerous to the public. On similar charges Merton Bullivant and Arthur L. Smith were euch fined £2 and costs. llford Ibbetsen was fined 20s and costs for driving at a dangerous speed, and was ordered to pay costs only for having no front number plato attached to his motorcycle. The case against Thomas Edward Calder, who appeared on a charge of driving after his license had been cancelled, was adjourned. The Magistrate said that if Calder was convicted he would receive the maximum penalty. Joseph Collings was fined 10s and costs for using an expired heavy traffic disc. For driving an unlicensed heavy traffic motorlorry, Eldred Cyril Voice was fined 30s and costs. For driving without licenses, .Jack Crouclier was fined 5s without costs, Joseph Fowler was fined 10s and costs, and William Thomas Parish was fined 5s and costs. For failing to produce his license, Robert Sutherland was fined 10s and costs. " For proceeding against an automatic traffic signal, Harold B. Dixey was fined 20s and costs, and Ronald A. C. Smith was convicted and Ordered to pay costs only. On a similar charge George Wilson was fined 20s and costs. For parking in a "prohibited area, Stuart Palairet Godfrey was fined 10s and costs. For cutting a corner, Baron Shears was -fined 5s and costs. Frederick _ 11. Botting was fined 5s and costs for failing to keep to the left. ; For cutting a corner, Marjorio Macdonald was fined 5s and costs. Matthew F. Barnett was fined 10s and costs for parking his car over the time limit. Charges against Sidney K. Clements of overloading liis omnibus and of working his omnibus on nn unauthorised route were dismissed. TAXI-CAB OFFENCES. Five taxi-drivers appeared on minor charges in connexion with the control of their cars while on the railway station taxistand. Fred. Alderidge, Patrick J. Duggan. and George Donald Marchant were charged with leaving their taxis unattended on a stand, Harry May with sleeping in a taxi on a stand, and Cyril Cullen with lounging in liis car. Counsel for the Council said that the piosecutions might seem unreasonable, but it was necessary to take the action to preserve a policy of perfect impartiality. The defendant taxi-drivers had committed the breaches between 2 and 5 o'clock in the morning. There was extraordinary competition at the railway staiton, and men were prepared to spend a whole night in their cars to ensure a good position to the stand. The offences were not serious, but. it was necessary to prosecute. In fining each of the defendants 5s and costs, tho Magistrate said that the by-law was a good one and that he intended to enforce it. MAINTENANCE COURT. ■ (Before 9lr H. P. Lawry, S.M.) The following were dealt with for disobedience of maintenance orders:— James Henry Hadlei'was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, issue of warrant to be suspended provided arrears are paid off at the rate of 5s a week in addition to the amount of the current ordir. Gordon Percy Aston was convicted and fined £o and costs. Ernest Matthew Finlayson was, sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment, issue 6f -warrant to be suspended provided arrears" are paid' off at tho rate of 35s a week -in -addition to the amount of the current ordeT. - Separation, guardianship, and maintenance orders were made against lan Cross, maintenance being fixed at £1 a week. 1 A maintenance order at the rate of 5s a ! week was made against Lawrence David Har- { land in reßpeet of his child.