MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 146, 21 June 1916, Page 8

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., occupied the bench at to-day's sitting of the Magistrate's' Court.-; Two .first .offending inebriates were convicted and discharged, and Margaiet Williamsv-and:'-Kate Purcell, who,-had previous," : convictions for drunkenness ■ against ■ them, were each fined, ss, with the option of undergoing twenty-four,hours', detention.' : For drunkenness Thomas Forsyth was fined.2os, witli the alternative of serving seven days, in .gaol, while for. committing a breach of his prohibition order Fodsyth was : fined 40s, with the option of serving, fourteen days' imprisonment. . Arising out of a,disturbance in Water-loo-quay on' Monday last, Henry Wesley Richards and' Anwoon Stvenen were charged with using threatening behaviour, whereby a breach of the peace was occasioned. The1 evidence went to show that Richards, .who is assistant secretary of the Federated Seamen's Union, was engaged'oh" the day in question in transacting union business at the Government Shipping Office. Stvenen desired to sign on the steamer Waitomo, but. was debarred from doing so, as he was not a member of the union. Stvenen, who,is a Belgian, i became annoyed, and threatened Richards. He waited for-the latter outside the office, with the result that a. fight ensued. Mr. H. F. O'Leary> who appeared for Richards, contended that Stvenen was the-. aggressor, and the Magistrate upheld that ' view. In the case.of Stvenen, a >fine :of 20s was imposed,' while "Richards . was merely discharged. ■"'-,-

William David Creamer, who "was charged with stealing a clock, valued at 12s 6d, tho property of William Pacey, was fined 20s, with tho alternative. of serving seven days' imprisonment.