MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 145, 17 December 1919, Page 8

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Mr P. L. Hollings, S.M., presided at :the Magistrate's Court to-day. . Four first-offending inebriates were penalised according to scale, and George William Francis, a fourth offender within the statutory period of six months, was fined £2, in default 24 hours in the cells, and Hugh Lancelot Machell £3, in default 24 hours' imprisonment, for a third offence of drunkenness within the meaning of the Act. David Alexander Lauder, a second offender, was fined £1. ■■ PETONE SITTING. The monthly sitting of the Petone Magistrate s Court was held to-day, before Mr L. Page, S.M. The police proceeded against a number of persons for being upon the premises of the Grand National Hotel during closing hours. There was no appearance of any of the accused. Thomas Donaldson, Georgo Srtannard (two char.es), Herbort A. Price, and Augustus Mason were on each charge fined £2, with 7s costs. Similar charges were laid against Thomas Pudney and Henry Burn, in respect to the Empire Hotel, and each was fined £2, with 7s costs. Thomas Donaldson was fined 20s, with 7s costs, for being on licensed premises during the currency of a prohibition order. ,

A case against S. J. Symons, for failure to attend drill, was dismissed, defendant proving medical unfitness.

Riding bicycles after dark without lights was responsible for J. H. Fletcher being fined 20s, with 7s costs, and 13. M'Leod, W. H. Lefoe, and W. 11. Yeoman each 10s, with 7s costs. Victor Watson, in whose case thero wero extenuating circumstances, ■ was ordered to pay 7s costs only.

P. 0. Shelton was charged with driving a motor-car in Jackson-street at a speed dangerous to the public considering the traffic on the street. The police evidence was that the speed was between 25 and 30 miles per hour. The defence was a denial that tho speed was more than 15 miles per hour. The Bench entered a conviction, and fined Shelton £2 and 7s costs.

Mark F. Parr, for a breach of the peace, was fined £3, and Thomas J. M'lntosh, for a similar offence, was fined £5. On his own application a prohibition order was issued against M'lntosh.