MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 16, 19 July 1915, Page 2

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Eighteen inebriates figured on the charge-sheet this morning in the Magus trato's Court, before Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M. Kate Brady was fined 20s, with the alternative of three days' detention. Andrew Soutter, who had been arrested on Saturday, released on bail, and re-arrested on Sunday, was fined 10s, or 48 hours' on the first charge, and 20s, or three days' imprisonment on the second charge. A soldier named Charles Carter, ' who pleaded guilty to, having been drunk and disorderly iv Ghuznee-street, was fined 20s, with tho alternative of three days in gaol, and ordered to be handed over to the military authorities. A similar penalty was imposed on Alfred Sether. William Almond, Jeremiah Looneyj James X.err, and William Parker were each fined 30s, with the option of going to gaol for 48 hours. The others were first offenders, and were dealt with in the usual manner. Fredk. Blackledge was charged by the police with having disobeyd an order to maintain his four children. "The report of the police is that the man is an absolute waster, and that he has not supported his family for years," said Inspector Hendrey, who added that defendant spent his earnings on his own amusement. The Sfcate was keeping some of the children, and the wife was struggling to keep some of the others. Defendant said he would make a fortnight's payment into Court that morning. He was workiiig for the City Council, and earning £2 16s a week. Inspector Hendrey said the wife complained that not only did he not pay for the children, but that he ill-treated her. Defendant was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended co lorn? a,? he pays £1 a week. William Molloy, similarly charged (be was over £100 in arrears), said ho had been unable to pay. He received 8s 6d a day from the City Council. Ho was sentenced to four months' imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended so; long as he pays 17s a week. Alexander Low Duncan was charged with disobedience of an order to pay £3 a week for tho' maintenance of his wife and family. Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared for tho complainant, and Mr. E. J. Fitzgibbon for' the defendant, who applied for a reduction of the order ,on the ground that the profits of his business (a confectioner's shop in Vivianstreet) are not sufficient to enable him to pay such a large sum. After hearing the evidence, which was mainly concerned as to the profit© of the bubiness, his 'Worship sentenced defendant to six days' imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended so long as defendant pays £2 a week and 5s a week off the arrears. An order wals also made against defendant for the payment of £1 Is costs. Robert Muirhead, for whom Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared, pleaxJed not guilty to a charge of having molested his wite, from whom he is separated. He also pleaded not guilty to having disobeyed an order to maintain her. After hearing the evidence, his Worship said: — "Let mo tell you this, Muirhead. You are liable for a fine of £20 for moleteting your wife and following her about; in the alternative you can be sent to gaol for three months. I hope that these proceedings will be a warning to you to leave your wif,e alone.' If you come up here again I'll drop on you heavily. You leave her alone in future; don't go neaT her. As to .the maintenance, defendant was sentenced to six days' imprisonment, the wan ant to be suspended so long as 'he pays £1 12s 60^ a week. Henry Fitzmaurice, who was £10 7s in arrears on an order for the maintenance of his wife and family, was sentenced to ten days' imprisonment, the "warrant to be suspended if he pays £9 12s at once and 10s a week. Mr. Machell appeared for the complainant. Alexander Thomas M' William applied for a varifition of a maintenance order for the support of his wife. Mt. C. W. Tringham appeared for the complainant, "The application was refused. Edgar Joyce admitted having disobeyed a maintenance order, was sentenced to three days' imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended so long als 10s a. woek is paid. Mr. Dunn appeared for the complainant. - ,