MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2569, 17 September 1915, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

< MEDICINAL OPIUM CHINESE CHEMIST IN COURT As a result of a recent raid on a Chinese house in Haining Street by a party of police, under Senior Serft. Dew, a Chinese named Joe Yeo !Wah appeared before Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M.,' m the MagistvateV Court • yesterday, charged with being "found in the possession of opium, in a form suitable for smoking." Mr. E. R. Brabazon, Collector of Customs, prosecuted, while Mr. E. G. Jellicoe appealed for the defence. rhe evidence of the police was that when the premises were entered defendant stated he had no,opium on his premises. A search was made, and two tins of opium were found. For the defence Mr. Jellicoe said the opium had been purchased, 19 years ago by accused, who was a Chinese chemist, and ivho had since used it for medicinal purposes. . Joe Yee Wah had been carrying on business in Southland at the time, and the two' tins discovered in the raid were the remnants of a half-case .of opium purchased so many years back. Evidence was given in corroboration of this by defendant, and another Chinese, while Sergeant Trehey said h-3 knew defendant many years ago in Southland. He was then a medical man, and was of excellent character. The Magistrate said that although the case to strongly suspicious,, there was sufficient doubt in "hW mind to dismiss the information. The opium would be ordered to be forfeited, however. OTHER CASES.Peter Carter was fined £3, in default one mouth's imprisonment, for using obscene language, and convicted and discharged on a charge of drunkenness. Herbert Brown was convicted and discharged for drunkenness, and fined .£2 or fourteen days' imprisonment for indecency. Henry Herbert Cook was ordered to pay medical expenses, 17s. 6d., in default 48 hours' imprisonment, on a charge of being found helplessly drunk. Harry Brown was fined 205., or three days' imprisonment, for drunkenness, and fined i£3, without the option of one month's imprisonment, for using obscene language. . ; For drunkenness John M'Kinnon was fined JC3, in default fourteen days' gaol, and a prohibition order taken out against him; Wm. Lynch finod £1, or three days' imprisonment; Jas. Macintosh, fined 10s., or 48 hours' imprisonment. Four first offenders were dealt with. CIVIL CASES. Reserved judgment was given by Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., in the civil dispute John Launder v. George M. Winchcombe, a claim for 17s. Gd., as commission on the sale of a property. The property in question had- been placed in plaintiff's hands for sale at 4:700. A prospective buyer was found, and as he considered the price too high it was reduced to .£685. A sale was not effected at that figure, however, and later on tho prospective buyer asked a friend named iiaston to inspect tho property and report on its value. Defendant was approached, and a sale took place at .£075, defendant having satisfied himself that Easton was not claiming commission. His Worship held plaintiff's introduction brought about the sale, and ho was awato that unless he could sell • the property at a prjoo over no commission would be payable. Judgmont would bo given for plaintiff for .612, with costs 3s. Mr. 0. 11. Beero appoarod for plaintiff, and Mr. J. J. M'Grath for defendant. Munt, Cottrell and Co.; Ltd., sued Charles Vernon Sutherland and Fretlk. Wm. Rankin, oycle dealers, for 12s. Gd., representing balance owing for conveyance of goods, and duty and charges alleged to be paid for defendants by plaintiffs. Defendants counter-claimed for 4'GO for a motor cycle whieji it was alleged that the plaintiffs obtained from the Wellington Harbour Board, ljut failed to deliver to defendants- After.a partial hearing the ca«o was adjourned to this morping. Air. A. A. S. Slenteath appeared for plaintiffs, and Mr. A. W. Blair for defendants.

Decision was reserved in the civil case, A. S. Patorson and Co., Ltd., v. David Wm. Russell and Mrs. Jessie Compton, a claim for .Cll3 Gs. Judgment had already been given against defendant, Compton. Mr. 11. E. Evans appeared for plaintiffs, and Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh for defendants.

DEFAULT DEBTOKS' LIST. Judgment was given for plaintiff by default by Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., in the following undefended civil cSsss:— Stale Advances Superintendent v. Robert H, Davenport, J!2l 12s, id., costs £1 lis. i B; H. Pe&roo .v,_G, fi, .W, Campiwllt <655 ltig^

Bcl.,'coste £\ is.; "N.Z. Times" Co., I/td., v. Jus. J 1 !. Scott, Ji!2 55., costs 135.; W. lladley v. W. .1. Thompson, <E9 165., costs Jfl .'ls." (ill.; 13. M.ncEwan and Co., Ltd., v. R. Pratt, J37 lis. 10d., costs ill las. (id.; Preston ami Co., Ltd., v. Hector Love, .CI, costs 155.; Louisa Barn-Thomas v. Thos. P. Willnson, .£3 10s., costs 55.; Commercial Agency, Ltd., v. Koorcy Bros., £& 10s., cosls Jil 195.; Harold Wm. Brown. v. Edward Yeatps, £1, costs £1 3s. Gd.; Gordon and Clotch Proprietary, Ltd., v. J. B. Hudson, ,(!1T 3s. 3d., costs .£2 Os. Gd.; N.Z. Rxpross Co., Ltd., v. Arthur Reade, X 2 15s. 5d., costs 155.; Edward Balcombo Biown (executor) v. Mrs. Black, £i 10s., costs 10s.; A. W. M. Salaman v. Mrs. K. Montgomery. ,£3 18s., costs ss. (against separate estate). In the case, Agnes Mexted and Jessie Moxted v. Sirs. A. M'Morrau, a claim for M 2 4s. (id., a possession of a tenement, judgment was given for plaintiffs for .£3O is. Gd., with costs .£5 25., and possession ordered to bo given by .September 23.