MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23818, 11 December 1942, Page 7

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

THURSDAY (Before Mr F. F. Reid, S.M.) ALLEGED BREAKING AND ENTERING ■George Thomas Watts, charged with breaking and entering by day the dwelling of Kathleen McMaster. 78 Hmau street, and committing theft, was remanded to appear on December 17. CONVERSION OF CYCLE George Henry Bailey, charged with converting to his own use a bicycle valued at £5, but not so as to be guilty of theft, was convicted and fined 20s. FAILURE TO ENROL Michael James O’Connor, aged 35 years, pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to apply for enrolment as required under tlie War Emergency Regulations. He was convicted and fined £5. For employing O'Connor, Walter Victor Flute was convicted and fined 20s. BUTCHERS CHARGED Aubrey Janies Higgs, W. R. Nuttall, J. H. Shaw, George W. Sim, and the City Cash Meat Company, retail butchers, all pleaded guilty to charges of selling meat containing a preservative substance (boric acid) not specifically allowed. Dr. A. L. Haslam, who appeared for the defendants, said that three of his clients had purchased the meat from the Christchurch City Abattoirs and the fourth from Dixon Brothers. All had sold the meat in the same condition as they had received it and without the addition of any preservatives. In each case a fine of 10s was imposed. DISCHARGING FIREARM For discharging a firearm in a public place. Desmond John O'Rourke, 18 years, was convicted and fined 15s. LICENSING BREACHES Robert Samuel Russel! was fined 20s tor being on the licensed premises of the Star and Garter Hotel after hours William Moloney, licensee of the Royal George Hotel, was charged with selling liquor to a lodger without an order. In ordering the defendant to pay the costs of the prosecution, the Magistrate said only a technical breach' had been committed.

MILK BELOW STANDARD Lilia Selina Dorward and Francis H. Parker were each fined 20s lor selling milk the condition of which did not comply with the regulations. CASTING OFFENSIVE MATTER For casting offensive matter in a public place the following were ordered to pay costs only:—lvor Francis Clarke, Patrick

Conovan, Graham Herbert Horace Doyle. Frederick Dunham, Rex Neiderer, William Valli. and Patrick Wilson. "Why are we getting all these charges?" asked ' the Magistrate. “Aren't there sufficient urinals in the town?” Senior-Sergeant J. Bickerdike said the convenience; were not sufficient in numbers, and the authorities should provide more. With big crowds, including many strangers, in the town, the position was difficult, but the police had had so many complaints that stern action was necessary. Later in the proceedings Mr Reid, m ordering a soldier to psj the costs of the

prosecution, said the position was a very difficult one.