MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1186, 22 July 1911, Page 14

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Mr. W. G. Kiddell, S.M.), .

"APPEARANCES ARE DECEPTIVE." YOUTH SUPPLIED WITH DRINK. CASE AGAINST BARMAID FAILS, Reserved judgment was delivered in (ho cafe in which the police proceeded against Ethel Matthews, a barmaid at the Central Hold, for supplying liijuor tu George I'iirdy, a person apparently under the age of 21 years. Sub-Inspector Sheelian appeared' for the police, and Mr. T. Youngfor the defendant. In delivering judgment, his Worship said:— "Tho facts in the present case aro that one Purdy, a young man under °1 years of age, entered the bar of the Central Hotel along with two others on the evening of June 20, aud was supplied with liquor. They had been there some weeks before, and, on tho first occasion, defendant had asked Purdy his age. He then answered that ho was 23. Defendant said: 'Are you pure:-" and Purdy replied, 'Yes.' Defendant states that; from Purdy s appearance, she thought that he was probably over 21, and, as he was u refpoctablo young man, she did not think that he would tell an untruth about tho matter. Purdy was, in i'ncl, between 19 and 20, and, judging only by his appearance, defendant evidently had some doubt as to his exact age, but his answer set that doubt at rest.' . After u brief reference to the law (mens ■Tea), his Worship continued:—"lt must be admitted that there is vooni for error in" tho estimation of the age of a youth, who may bo a year or so under or over 21 years. Appearances are deceptive, and, although ; .i'person of greater experience would probably liavo come to a different conclusion, yet 1 am not prepared to say that'defendant did not honestly think that I'urdy was of full age. I do not think-that, defendant; can bo convicted. Information dismissed." LONG DAY FOR SHOP ASSISTANT. Barber and Co., butchers, of Lambton Quay, pleaded guilty to n breach of the. Shops and Offices Act in employing a shop assistant for more than eleven hours on June- 2, without having obtained tho written consent of the inspector. Tho Inspector- of Factories (Mr. E. A. Lo Cren) stated that, though Hie assistant had worked twelve hours on the day in question, ho had only signed the book for eleven hours, but it had subsequently been disclosed at a uiceting of tho union that twelve hours had been worked,• and tho information was conveyed to tho Mr. A. Fair, on behalf of tho defendants, stated that the employees of the firm had been granted a half-holiday on ths AVeducsday of the week ending Juno 3, although they were not entitled to it on.account of the holiday on tho Saturday. On the Friday, the men were brought on to work eleven hours to cope with tho extra work. , Tho head of the firm was not aware that they had worked over 11 hours, and he had rnado up tho pay-sheet for that time, and the men duly signed. Now that he was informed of the facts, he did not dispute them, and was willing to pay the men overtime. ..Counsel therefore suggested that it was a case for a conviction only. A fine- of 10s., with Court costs 75., was imposed.

THE SCAFFOLDING COLLAPSED. , 11. W. Davics and Co:, of Adelaide oad, wero charged with, erecting a sc.ifilding over lGft. in height without nofying tho inspector. Mr. E. J. Fitzsjiblion. who appeared ir defendants, entered a plea of guilty, id explained that the principal of the nil was away at the time, and was not ivaro of the fact that (lie scaffolding as being eroded. The Inspector (Mr. E. .. Holland) ifljalodijjhai, .Vlio ■ .scaffolding ad collapsed, am! had' injured two 'men. fad the notification, been given, tho scafilding would have been inspected,. and ho accident probably would- have, upon verted. .'A.'fino of- 205., , ; with 'Court costs 75., **» mposcd., ■■ ••- :• ;■■.'■'; \ THEFT-WOMAN'S LAPSE. A young woman, named Ruby Owens ilead'od guilty to three charges of theft, ho articles mentioned in th» charges in-*, luding jewellery, a tablecloth, 2 towels,' Liiives, spoons and forks. The total vame hereof was £2 2s. Gd. It appeared that ho theft had been committed at tho Totel Windsor, where accused, was. eiu-'" jloyed. One of the articles had been pledged for 3?., hut all the property.hail iinco been recovered. Mr. P. W. Jackson, who appeared Tor ilio accused, asked his "Worship to treat tho three thefts as one offence. His client ivas a youns woman, with a child to keep, ind sh'o had given way to sudden temptation. This was her first otfeuce, und, as ill tho property had been recovered, uo onn would suffer. Jlis Worship, , after p admonishing accused, recorded a conviction, anil ordered her to conic up for, .sentence when called npon, on condition that sho refunded 3s. to the pawnbroker with'whom one of the articles had been pledged. BY-LAWS BROKEN. For leaving a vehicle unattended fot moro than five minutes, George Hunt was fined 55., and costs 7s. " For driving a vehicle after dark without a light, Charles Bradley and Samuel lialford were iined ss. eack and costs 7s. NO ROOM AT ROTO ROA. William Stevens was brought forwan for sentence on a. charge of procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order. He had been remanded in order that inquiries might bo made if there was room for him to be taken into tho Inebriates' Home at Roto Roa. The police reported that the home was full, and accused ivas fined 10s., with the alternative of 11 days' imprisonment, OTHER CASES; Edith Home was convicted and dis charged for drunkenness while, for procuring liquor during tho currency of a prohibition order, , , she was fined 405., with tile option of seven days' imprisonment. John Shannon, charged with drunken ness, was declared a habitual inebriate, and was sentenced to one mouth's imprisonment. . . For procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order, tho same accused was convicted and discharged. Michael Dillon Minogue,' who did not appear to answer a.charge of drunkenness, was ordered to forfeit his bail of 20?., in default IS hours' imprisonment. John Laidlow pleaded not guilty to a charge of using improper language, but the evidence was held to bo against him, and he was fined JK, with Court costs 11s., and witness's expenses is., in default It days' imprisonment'. For refusing to quit the Grand Hotel when requested to do so, the same accused was fined 205., with Court cost's lls., tho alternative being 48 hours' imi prisonment. Mr. A. L. Herdman appeared for accused. Charles Olsen, charged with a certain act in Taranaki Place, was fined £5, in default 11 days' imprisonment. Mrs. Emily Bull was granted a certificate of character under tlie Servants Registry Oilices Act.