MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 44, 20 August 1913, Page 8

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M.. presided at the Magistrate's Court this morning. Seven first-offenders were leniently dea.lt with, for drunkenness. On » similar charge Alfred Tattle and Michael Mulholland, Who had been previously convicted, were each fined 10s, in default 4-8 hours' imprisonment. John Henderson, was fined 20s, in default 4fl hours' imprisonment. Charles Rash, who had been found drunk in Levin on the 13th instant, and who had been remanded for curative treatment, was fined 17s 6d, in default 48 hours' imprisonment. Samuel Charles Minifie, charged with attempted murder of his wife, Julia Minifie, was further remanded till the 27th in«t., bail being fixed as on a previous occasion — £150. Robert Grant, charged with failing to provide adequate maintenance for his wife, was remanded till the 25th instant, on the application of t Mr. Jackson, who stated that it was possible a reconciliation could be effected between the parties, who had only been married five months. Mr. O'Leary, who appeared for complainant, offered no objection, but asked that defendant should be made to contribute something in the meantime for the maintenance of his wife, who was in a delicate state of health. A remand was granted till the 25th instant, defendant to pay £2 to Mb wife by Friday. Richard Shields, who was found at 2.20 on Sunday morning in the Grand Opera House, Manners-street, was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon on a charge of vagrancy, and a prohibition order was ordered to be issued against him for one year in tho Wellington and Hutt districts. William Warne, on a charge of attempting to do grievous bodily harm to a Chinaman named Young Wing On, by striking him on the head, was remanded till the 27th instant, bail of £25 being allowed John Gosling, oharged Miith the theft of a bicycle, valued £8, the property of Frederick Hobbs, was remanded till the 23rd instant, bail of £10 being allowed. PETONE CASES Dr. M'Arthur, S.M., presided over the monthly sitting of the Fetone Magistrate's Court to-day. Mr. R. H. Mothes, J.P., was associated with him. Benjamin Jones appeared on a charge of assaulting C. W. Drain. Evidence was given by Drain to the effect that he hud remonstrated with accused while he was pulling down a fence.' He then went to get over the fonce^ and when half over accused had 6truck ' him with a pair of pincers. Ho fell over, and accused then hit him while on the ground. Constable Carmody gave evidence as to Drain being severely wounded in the back of the head and being otherwise bruised. According to accused, he had only acted in self-defence. Drain had "axed for it," he stated. Jones was convicted and fined 20s, with couit cofets, ss. An option of eeven days' imprisonment was allowed. Two charges wero preferred against Lawton Little, one of assaulting Sid Nicholls and another of 'using obseeno language on the samo date. lie .pleaded guilty on both counte. Accused was alleged to have been under the influence of liquor at the Petono Working 1 Men's dub, and when asked by the steward to go out6ido he had severely assaulted him. <7utside a/tfusad had used the language complained of. It was stated by Mr. R. F. •■smith, appearing for accused, that tho Working M«n'« Club had wishpd the caws to be withdrawn, but the police, from a *etiße ol duty, had proceeded with it. On the charge of assault accused was convicted and fined JS2, and on that of wing obscene language he was convicted and fined £3, with costs 7s. Options of 14- days and 7 days' imprisonment respectivply were allowed. Noel M. Cameron was charged, under the Defence Act, with damaging a rifle, the property of the Defence Department. Evidence was given to the effect that through accused's wilful neglect tho rifle had become unserviceable. A fine of 10s with costs 20s was imposed. Stanley Riddler aDd Robert J. P. Lucas wero each convicted and fined £2, with costs 7s, for failure to render pereonal service. On a similar charge, L. C Smith was fined se, with costs 7s. Alternatives of military detention were allowed. PROHIBITION ORDERS GRANTED. Prohibition orders were granted against H. Te Pimi. E. Te Puni, and Bella To Puni. CIVIL SUITS*. Judgment was given for plaintiff by default in the following cases: — M. Reid v. Amelia Stokes, £2 9s 7d, cost* ss ; Petone Borough Council v. W. F. Brittain, costs sb. C. Harper proceeded against Benjamin Jones for £1 10s for rent, and possession of his house. Judgment was given for plaintiff,