MAGISTRATE'S' COURT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1075, 14 March 1911, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S' COURT.

(Before Mr. W. G. liiddcll, S.M.) I'AKATOA AND ROTORI'A. Flora M'Donnld, who had a number ol previous convictions against her, pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness, and to a further charge of procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order. On tho first charge she was \\q'dared a habitual inebriate, and was ordered to 1)8 detained for a year in the Inebriates' Homo at l'akntoa Island. Sarah Jnmicson, who wf.s charged with similar offences, received like punishment in each ease. John M'Kic, who had been convicted a sufficient number of times within the past six months to earn the title of habitual drunkard, pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness, and was sentenced to one year's detention in the Inebriates' Home at Kotorua. •NEGLIGENT DRIVING.. The adjourned case against Frank Wilson, for negligently driving a motor on Thorndon Quay, was concluded yesterday. Sub-Inspector Sheehan called two additional witnesses for the prosecution, and Mr. V. R. Meredith, for the defence, also called two more witnesses. After hearing these, the magistrate decided that a conviction must be recorded. A fine of 40s. was imposed, with costs and witnesses' expanses, totalling .£1 !)s. , Default was fixed at 7 days' imprisonment. ASSAULT. Richard Allen pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting Maurice O'Sullivan, and was fined J;3, and witnesses' expenses (Bs.), in'default 11 days' imprisonment. BREACHES OF RAILWAY BY-LAW. James Reid, a cab-driver, admitted having, unlawfully plied for hire on Thorndon Railway Station on February 28 without being duly licensed under the railway by-laws. He was fined 10s., with costs, and witnesses' expenses, totalling «£1 35., in default 18 hours' imprisonment. ArthuwTustin, charged with a similar offence, pleaded not guilty, but was convicted and ordered to nay court costs and witnesses' expenses, amounting to 155., in default 24 hours' imprisonment. MAINTENANCE. Maud Jenkins was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment for disobedience of a maintenance order, the warrant to be suspended ta long as the arrears (.£G 125.) were paid off at the rate of 3s. a week. Martin l'ollock, who was charged with disobedience of a maintenance order, was reported to have paid off the arrears. He ,was convicted and ordered to pay solicitor's fco (£1 Is.), in default 48 hours' imprisonment. Mr. IF. F. O'Leary apjpeared for the complainant. ' Joseph Meynell, charged with failing to support his three children in an Industrial School, was ordered to contribute: 5?. a week towards the support of each child. Archibald Robertson was fined 10s., with the alternative of 24 hours' imprisonment, for disobedience of a maintenance order. Mr. Anderson appeared for tho complainant. Henry Messenger, charged with failing to maintain his wife, pleaded not guilty. The information was dismissed, as complainant admitted having between ,£SO and JiCO in the Savings Bank. John Broadbent. Hall was granted remission of arrears under a maintenance order requiring him to pay 30s. a week towards the support of his wife and children. The payments under tho order were reduced to .£1 a week. Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared in support of the application, and Mr. V. R. Meredith appeared for the wife. OTHER CASES. A respectably . dressed old man, named William Justin Cunningham, admitted having been found by night on premises in Cointrnay Place without lawful excuse, but denied being a rogitu and a vagabond. Drink, he said, had been his trouble, and he was willing to make an effort to givo up. the habit. Ho was convicted, and ordered to como up for sentence r( when called upon, a. r prohibition order to issue against him. Kate Sweeney pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness, but denied having made use of improper language. . The evidence, however, was strong enough to convict her. On the charge of drunkenness, she was fined 205., in default seven days' imprisonment, and. on the second charge, shs was fined 405., in default 14 clays' imprisonment. Annie M'Grath, charged with being a rogue and n vagabond, pleaded not guilty, and asked for a remand until to-morrow. 'J'.'ie request was granted. A lad named William Gray was charged with using threatening behaviour at Island Bay. Ha pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr. P. W. Jackson. After hearing the evidence the magistrate dismissed the information. Andrew Scott was sentenced to one month's imprisonment on a charge of drunkenness. For procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order,. Charles Collins was fined 405., in default 14 days' imprisonment, and, on a charge of drunkenness, the same accused was convicted and discharged. James Condon, for drunkenness, was fined 10s., in default 4S hours' imprisonment. Two first-offending inebriates were fined 55., in default 24 hours' imprisonment, and two other first offenders were convicted and discharged.