MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 158, 30 March 1922, Page 9

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

“HIS LIFE’S AMBITION”

SATISFIED WITH BUNS AND BEER

“As long as. he has sixpence for a beer and threepence for a bun he is satisfied —that is his whole ambition in life,” said Sub-Inspector McNamara concerning George Routledge, who was charged before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court with drunkenness and being an incorrigible rogue. It appeared that Routledge took a stand outside the Pier Hotel, and later shifted to another street, and annoyed people by begging. This was his fourteenth appearance before the Court and his third since Saturday, so ho was sent to gaol for three months. “A CAUSE OF FATALITIES.” James McArdle (Mr, J. Ward) pleaded not guilty to assaulting Thomas William Anderson last Saturday week. Sub-Inspector McNamara said that about 6 p.m. several men, including Anderson, were standing outside tho Albion Hotel at the corner of Tory Street and Courtenay Place. Accused came out of the hotel and some words ensued. A blow, was struck, w.nd Anderson fell, receiving such injuries that he had to bo taken to the hospital. Witnesses stated that McArdle struck Anderson. Defendant said that he only remembered walking out of the hitcl and being asked to give a hand to pick a man up. The Magistrate said that there had been two or three fatalities recently through men being struck by other men as in this case. Assault was only justifiable when a man “had his back to the wall.” It was men w h ° would . not keep their hands stilly that caused such fatalities. Accused would bb fined £lO and costs £7 10s.; in default one month’s- imprisonment. The Magistrate ordered half tho fine to be paid to Anderson. CRAZE FOR BILLIARDS. “Billiards and billiard rooms are his weakness,” remarked Sub-Inspector McNamara concerning Leo Reginald Dennis (Mr. Stevenson), who admitted breaking and entering a dwellinghouse in Tasman Street and stealing £5- 10s., the property of Andrew ' Brown. The Sub-Inspector further stated that on Saturday last Brown locked the 1 door of his bedroom and left the key in a certain place for the landlady. Accused, who was there, took the key and entered the room. When he was coming out he was seen by the landlady, and later the money was found to be missing. The sum of £2 10s. was still unaccounted for. Accused was only 19 years of ago, and the Sub-Inspector suggested that the Cpurt should, put him on strict probation for a long term. Mr. Stevenson said that the lad was out of work at the time he took tho money, but he lilid since obtained employment. . The Magistrate granted him two years’ probation on condition that he obeyed the terms laid down by the probation officer, jand did not visit billiard saloons. A,YEAR AT PAKATOA. “You will ruin your husband and family if I allow you to remain with them,” said the Magistrate to Florence Grace Ward, who was charged with drunkenness and breach of her prohibition order. Sub-Inspector McNamara said that accused’s husband agreed that it would be better to keep her away from liquor for a time. She pleaded for another chance, but the Magistrate pointed out that she had been given chances before, but did not take them. She had neglected her home and her children as the result of liquor. He consequently cornmitted hor to Pakatoa for twelve months. REGISTRATION OF ALIENS. Otis Mitchell iadmitted being an alien within the meaning of the Registration of Aliens Act and failing to apply for registration. Sub-Inspector McNamara said that defendant was a theatrical artist who belonged to America. He was under engagement in Australia, and then came to New Zealand to appear with Fuller’s Company. He was about to return to Australia, and when he applied for a passport it was found that he was not registered despite the fact that he had been supplied with a card drawing attention to the law on his arrival in this country. He was under the impression that having registered in Australia it would be unnecessary for him to register here. “These cases are getting rather common, and it seems as if people are not paying attention to the law,” remarked the Magistrate, in imposing a fine of 40s. and costs. MISCELLANEOUS CASES. John Walter Hamilton, a second offender for drunkenness, was also charged with stealing a box of candles and a bridle, value 355. The Magistrate gave him three months’ imprisonment for stealing- the candles, and a similar term for theft of the bridle, tlie sentences to be cumulative. A lad, 18 years of age, pleaded guilty to a charge of carnally knowing a girl under 16 years, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. IThe Magistrate ordered that his name should not be published. Charles Ruddick, alias Edward Rossiter. and Herbert Denham were remanded till April 5 on a charge 'of stealing a motor-car (value £265), the property of John James Benge. Walter Smith was fined 5 s ._ for insobriety and 40s. for committing a grossly indecent act in a public place.