MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 229, 20 June 1908, Page 13

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

POLICE CASES. (Before Mr. \V. G. Riddel, S.M.) PROHIBITED PERSONS AND HOTELKEEPERS. Alexander Gray pleaded not guilty to a charge that, being a person other than ±he lioenseo of the 'Masonic Hotel, ho did supply liquor to a prohibited person. Defendant, a barman, for whom Mr. Cook appeared, pleaded that he was not_ awaro tnat the man to whom he Bold certain beer was a prohibited person. \ After somo discussion as to what means were used to find out when a man was prohibited, Mr. Cook pointed out that the slip of paper furnished to hotelkeepers when a man wa.i prohibited was littlo or no help to the licensee or barman in identifying the person as tho sheet simply bore the name of the prohibited . porson. In England, licensees were supplied with a black list, with a description of the person prohibited. His' Worship' dismissed tho information, and remarked that the prohibition orders supplied to tho licensees were not a comploto means of identification for a barman or liponsee. Tho notices should certainly put them on their guard, but it oould do no more. Tho oourse of. attaching a description of the person prohibited, and his or her photograph to tho slips was ono that might bo followed in this country with advantage. At tho same time, it was quite right that tha police should bring the matter before tho Court, as it was the duty of hotelkeepers and their servants to take every precaution. .

' Sub-Inspector O'Dpnovan stated that tho caso undor notico was brought after tho police had dccidcd to pursuo a certain courso to bring hotclkocpers to recognise their responsibilities, and the fact that prohibition orders wero not so much waste paper. OTHER CASES. _ A plea of guilty' was entered by 'Arthur Scott to a charge of procuring liquor during .the currency of a prohibition order. Defendant was convicted and fined 205., in dofault seven days' imprisonment. John Calvert, who pleaded guilty last week to a chargo of having entered licensed promises during the currency of, a prohibition order, was brought forward for sentence. Defendant had been in gaol for several days', and, under the circumstances, His Worship ontered a conviction and discharge.

AN OLD MAN IN TROUBLE. An old man, named Matthow Piokering, pleaded'guilty to a charge of being a rogue and vagabond within the meaning of tl\© Polioo Offonccs Act, 1884. Sub-Inspector O'Donovan info'rmod tho Court that accused was'an old offender, with about fifty previous convictions against him. Of lato years ho had been begging about the strcots, and living a vagrant lifo. His Worship ontorod a conviction, and sentence of six months' imprisonment. CIVILIAN AND PRISONERS. A man named Daniel Morgan alias Grey, alias Duncan, alias Brown, was charged with having, on Juno 18, at Wellington, attempted to deliver to prisoners undergoing sentence certain articles, to wit, a quantity of matches. Defendant pleaded guilty, and said ho was under tho influonco of drink at the time. Ho asked for a chance to leave town and go to the country. . Sub-Inspector O'Donovan informed the Court that tho information was laid under Section 33 of tho Prisons Act, 1882, which made it an offence for any person to deliver clothing or any other goods to a prisoner. Whilst a number of prisoners wero marching from The Torraco Gaol to their work at tho Mount Cook reserve defendant attompted to throw two boxes of matches to one of the prisoners. The warder saw tho act, and defendant was apprehended. Two more boxes of matches and a stock of tobacco wore found on him. A conviction and fine of £5, in default one month's imprisonment was imposed, - MAINTENANCE. William Johnson made application for tho variation of an order for the support of his wife and children. In dismissing tne application, His Worship remarked that the first duty of a husband was to support his wifo and children. If lie did not maice an honest attompt to comply with an order the law must take its courso. Under tho circumstances of tho present caso it was ridiculous to ask that the order should be varied. Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared for complainaut. JUVENILE COURT. Two hoys gbout 16 years of age appeared beforo Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., in the Juvenile Court to answer a charge of having thrown missiles into a China'man's shop in Riddiford Street. Evidcnco showed that tho two lads, in company with somo other boys, collected about the Chinaman's doorway, andpelted tlio shop with potatoes, breaking seme articles stored on a shelf." Th'o Chinaman was so exasperated at the behaviour of the boys that he picked up a bottlo of lemonade and hurled it a't tho offenders. Sub-Inspector O'Donovan said the two toys wore not known to tho police,' but similar offences had caused trouble of lato. His Worship' impressed upon defendants that Chinamen must bo protected. They paid thoir poll tax beforo entering New Zealand, and so long as they remained hero and conducted thomselves properly and peacefully Europeans had no'right to interfere with thom. Both defendants wyre convictc-d and ordered to pay Court costs 75., and His Worship tola the, boys that the conviction would be a record against them for lifo, and it would be a mark against them if they over came beforo tha Court again. TRAM CONDUCTOR ASSAULTED. Hans Peter Mickkleson pleaded not -guilty to a charge of having, on Juno 8, at Kilbirnie, unlawfully assaulted Albert Edward Stuart Wortley. Evidence showed that complainant was a tram conductor, and defendant, a carpenter, w?s a passenger from town by a Miramar tram on the evening of Juno 8. For the defence, it was stated that defendant boarded the car at Courtenay Place. The compartment ho was in was crowded, and ho got up and stood, giving his seat to a lady. Subsequently, another lady got out, and defendant's attention was drawn by a lady to a spaco in the soat, and he sat down on tho edge. Th'o conductor askod defendant to leave tho car, and ho (defendant), who was told by tho lady ho was not in the way, lost his temper at the manner in which tho guard spoko to him. - On getting out of tho tram at Kilbirnie tho conductor, it was alleged, struck defendant and lie hit back, and then ran away. ' Tho, conductor and soveral others chased defendant and {rot him down and nearly strangled him. During tho struggle, ho lost his wat-cli and £2, and his clothes wero torn. Ho had had two or threo drinks, but was quito sober. Evidorioo for complainant alleged that defendant sat down between two ladies, crushing them. uncomfortably. On tho conductor asking him to shift, ho refused to do bo. When leaving the car it was alleged that defondant struck complainant, and refused to givo his name. .His Worship remarked that there was only defendant's statement against tho statements of complainant and several witnesses. There were discrepancies about tho evidence of the latter, but on tho wholo tho weight' of ovidenco was against defendant and ho must bo penalised. A conviction and fino of 20s.it and costs 65., in default t-wonty-four hours' imprisonment, would bo imposed. '• • • Mr. Wilford appeared for the defence. MISCELLANEOUS James Condon wa3 convicted and fined 4Cs., in default fourteen days' imprisonment, for habitual drunkonncss. Edmund Duff was convicted and fined 10s., in default fortyeight _ hours'- imprisonment, for insobriety, and six first offenders wero also dealt with. Four wero convicted and fined ss.', in default 24 hours' imprisonment, and two wero convicted and discharged. An . information against John Woods, charging him with allowing a horse to wander, was dismissed. CIVIL BUSINESS. (Before Dr. A. M'Arthur, S.M.) The adjourned Case of the Wellington and Wangaiiw S.tearn Packet Company v. J. J. Burko was again called on and the hearing of evidence was concluded. Plaintiffs claimed £G6 ISs., balance alleged to be due for freight for tho conveyance of wool, damaged in tho Turakina fire, from Wellington to-Na-pior. His Worship reserved his decision until June 26. Mr. Johnston appearcd-fos, plaintiffs; and Mr. M'Grath for tho defence.