MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 77, 30 March 1912, Page 6

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

, Mr. W. G. Eiddell, S.M., .presided at to-day's sitting 1 ' cf the Magistrate's Court. _„ Robert Grant was charged with, causing: a breach' of the peace in Ghuzneestreet on 29th March. A like charge was preferred against William Johnston. * Each defendant pleaded guilty, Grant under provocation. Each was' convicted arid fined 20s, default being fixed at seven day's imprisonment. Thcmae Winkle, who had . pleaded guilty to desertion from the s.s. Rotorua, was released to-day en his paying the expenses of the New Zealand Shipping .Company, and costs, £8 18s. WiHim Geo. Henkers appeared on a charge "of theft of a bottle of brandyy. aleo whisky, champagna, and two flasks, the' property of R. A. Marshall,. 'and valued at 265. It appeared that the ; bottles^ al> of them empty but one, were found in accused's room. Henkers, who pleaded guilty, was fined 20s, ,and order- . «ji.to refund the value of liquor stolen, leas one bottle of brandy, which was intact. The alternative was 'fixed at seven daya* 'imprisonment. John Lewis was charged with tlie theft - of a diamond ring, valued at £19 10?, the property, of Thomas Crouch. Accused was remanded till Wednesday, 3rd ,• -April. • Mr. Thomas Bland, J.P., presided at the Mount Ccok Police Court this mcrcing, and dealt with the follow n.g cases of drunkenness. Joseph Curtis, aud l*aac Myers were each mulcted *in the fcum of 10s, with the option of fortyeight hoars' imprisonment, and one firetoffender was convicted and discharged.

Referring to the suggestion made by Sir ..George* Clifford that a board of experts "independent of political ■wrangles" should* be appointed to take charge of the Agricultural Department, the Farmers' Union Advocate hopes- that the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, the new Premier, will see his way to adopt the idea. The Advocate goes on to say :— "lt may " even be found advantageous to establish a number of local boards after the style of the education boards. Educational matters go on automatically, whoever may be the nominal head, and are independent cf any change of Government. The Agricultural Department is a most important branch of , education, and should also be freed from th* personal dictates and fancies of whoever may for the time being direct its policy. Agriculture is far too important an issue to form a bails for political conjuring. Mr. Mackenzie has publicly Announced his intention of widening the' srope of this department, the interests of which we believe he has* at heart, and we are convinced he could not «uo\v more clearly his ho-aesty of purpose -in ihis direction than, by adopting .our- suggestion. It would enable».jiim to secure the beet' advice for the development proposed, and at the same time enable him to retain the portfolio with credit to himself and for the good of, the Dominion " The monthly _ meeting of tho Women's Social and Political League will be held on Tuesday evening.