MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26887, 13 November 1952, Page 12

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

(Before Mr Rex. C. Abernethy, S.M.) IDLE AND DISORDERLY Arthur Owen Hill, aged 75, a labourer, pleaded not guilty to a charge of being idle and disorderly in that he had insufficient lawful means of support on November 11.

He was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for two months. Constable J. J. W. Jenkins said he arrested Hill in Durham street. Hill had no money and no articles of value with him except a few small tins of honey and sugar, and some spoons. He had come from the Tuarangi Home at Ashburton. The police had been notified that he had escaped from there.

“I had come into Christchurch to collect my pension which had been waiting for me here,” said Hill. “I had just stepped off the bus when this gentleman arrested me, took me to the police station and called me some very filthy names. I have been bothered by this man and his myrmidons every time I have come into Christchurch for the last two years, and I would like to have it stopped.” To the Magistrate he said he had no relatives and would not go back to the Ashburton home. “I don’t like doing this,” said the Magistrate, sentencing Hill, “but it seems I have no other course.” REMANDED Colin James Johnston, aged 24, a labourer and seaman, pleaded guilty to charges of being idle and disorderly in that he had insufficient lawful means of support, and of wilfully failing to maintain his wife and four children. On the first charge he was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence' within 12 months if called upon, and onj the second charge he was remanded to' appear in the Magistrate’s Court at Dunedin on November 17. NO RETURN OF INCOME On a charge of failing to furnish a return of income for the year ended March 31, 1951, Dorothy Julia McMasters was convicted and fined £3. CHARGE DISMISSED Roy Kitchener Kennedy, aged 37, a baker (Mr D. J. Hewitt), pleaded not guilty to a charge that on November 4 he was intoxicated while in charge of a car in Tuam street. The charge was dismissed. The case for the police was that Kennedy had hired a rental car from Gold Band Taxis, Ltd. at noon on November 4. He had returned the car to the company’s garage in Tuam street just before midnight. The car had been overturned and was badly damaged. Kennedy said he had swerved and overturned the car when trying to avoid a dog on the road about two miles from Southbrook. He had a cut over one eye, and smelt of liquor. He said that he had had three glasses of beer at Rangiora. Kennedy was examined by Dr. F. L. Scott and certified as fit to drive. “It would be dangerous and improper for the Court to convict this man,” said the Magistrate. “He might have been drunk, but he might just as well have been dazed by the cut he received on his forehead. He was cerainly well enough to be able to drive a car in from Rangiora." In those circumstances, the Magistrate said, he was forced to give Kennedy the benefit of the doubt. (Before Mr H. Fuller, J.P., and Mr W. E. Olds, J.P.) COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE Alexander Wright, aged 23, a farm labourer, was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence when he pleaded guilty to a charge that on October 17 he broke and entered Hardie’s Watch Services, Ltd., and committed theft. COMMITTED FOR TRIAL Roy Everette Tulett, aged 34, a clerk and truck driver (Mr D. J. Hewitt) pleaded not guilty to a charge that on October 18 he received from Royston Dean

Samuel Sutton watches valued at £l4 0s 3d, the property of Hardie's Watch Services, Ltd., well knowing them to have dishonestly obtained.

He was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. He was allowed bail m his own recognisance of £5O, and one surety of £5O, conditional on his reporting daily to the police.