MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2766, 9 May 1916, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

DISORDERLY CONDUCT A SOLDIER SENT TO PRISON Mr. ]). G. A. Cooper, S.M., presided at yesterday's sitting of the Jlagistrate's Court. Among the persons appearing. before liim was a soldier, named John Boyle, who was charged with dnmkcnness, with using obsceno language, and with resisting arrest.. Tlie evidence called by the police showed that when arrested on. Lambton Quay on Saturday night, Bovlo resisted violently, and mado use of 'filthy language. A crowd collected, and a riot seemed about to commcnco when a seccud .police officii- came to the assistance of tiio arresting constable, and the two, with difficulty, placed Boyle in a motor-car, which conveyed him to the police station, No evidence was called for tho defence. Inspector Hendrey asked the Magis-> trate to make an example of tho aci ( cused. While they had tho two military camps in 1 jit) neighbourhood of Wellington it was necessary that the police should be supported in their efforts to preserve good ordor in tho community. Tho Inspector was pleased to lie able xto sqv that the majority of the men from tho camps behaved themselves as they should do, but. among them there was si sprinkling of filthymouthed blackguards—men of the accused's stamp—who, bv their conduct, disgraced tho uniform tliey wore. Quito recently a disgraceful scene had occurred in the streets, when two police officers were severely injured in a conflict with soldiers. Tho accused: What about tho injuries 1 received ? Tho Magistrate said that accuscd de-

served all the treatment ho may have received, and it served him right. His Worship went on to remark that it was a sad thing to see men in uniform benaving as tlicy had donein Wellington lately. The worst feature of it was that, when a. drunken man in uniform might bo arrested, others in uniform, apparently sober, .were prepared to take iiis part against the police. That sort of thing could, not bo tolerated. As it was accused's first appearance for drunkenuess, ho would be convicted and discharged. For using obscene language, ho would bo sentenced to two months' imprisonment, and for resisting the police ho would be given another, month's imprisonment.

MAINTENANCE. I'erciv.il Green admitted that lie was in arrears with payments due under two maintenance orders, made at Nelson. Ho asked for a chance to comply with the order. ' The Magistrate imposed a sentenco of/one month's imprisonment, but directed that thevsyarrant should be suspended so long as Green paid 12s. '(xl. per week in compliance wit'u the order, and another 2e Cxi. weekly to wipe oif tho arrears,.which were rechiccd to £20. James Morton Davidson was sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment tor disobedience of an order of tlie Court requiring him to' contribute to the support of his wife. The Magistrate directed that tho warrant for Ilia committal should be suspended so long as weekly payraeuts of £1 2s. 6d. were forthcoming, and a solicitor's fee of one guinea.

. . OTHER CASES. .' Convictions for drunkenness wero recorded in tho case of five statutory first-offenders, and in the case 6f five others, namely, Elizabeth Williams (ordered ;to pay 17s. 6'd. for medical expenses), John Coyle (fined £3, with fhd option of 14 days' imprisonment), "Annio Smith'(fined £1 or three days' imprisonment), Patrick O'Neil (fined 10s., or 48 hours', imprisonment), and Andrew John Davidson (ordered to comc 'dp for sentence when called on).

CIVIL ACTION. Mr. W. G. lUddcll, S.M., sitting ft civil jurisdiction, heart! an action in which Sibun, Ltd., grocers, of Petone, claimed from George :J. Cochrane, diaper, of Petone, tho sum of £53, alleged to be doe in respect of damage ciouo co plaiutiUs' tricar through a ccllision with defendant's motor-car on February 15, at tlio intersection of White's Line and Cuba Street, Mr. T. W. Hislop appeared for tho plaintiffs, while ivl.iv A. M. Salek. appeared for the defendant. After hearing lengthy evidence, the Magistrate reserved decision.