THE COURTS-TO-DAY

Evening Star, Issue 16992, 14 March 1919, Page 6

THE COURTS-TO-DAY

SUPREME COURT.—IN BANKRUPTCY. (Before His Honor Mr Justice Sim.l Ro Jane Johnston, a bankrupt.—Summons for adjudication.—Mr W. L. Moore appeared on behalf of the petitioning creditor, and said that Mr Alien, who represented the debtor on the adjournment, was not now appearing.—His Honor made an order of adjudication, IN CHAMBERS. Probate was granted in the estates of Donald Cameron, Robert Those Meiklo, Dorcas Myfert, James M‘Kinky, Graham Dick Baird, Mary Letitia Austin, and James Colin Craigie. Letters of administration were granted in the estates of John Thomas Mahoney, Herbert Webb On 1 , William Archibald M'Glashan, John Okrenco Elmsly, and I Christina M'Limont Kelly. j CITY POLICE COURT. (Before J. R. Bartholomew, Esq., S.M.) An Aimless Old Man.—John Fox, an elderly man, was charged with stealing a railway aleepar, value os, the property of the Government.—Senior-sergeant Murray eaid that at a quarter to 11 on the 6th inat. Constable Mackenzie found Fox taking a serviceable sleeper from a heap at Jack’s Point. He was in the habit of •picking up small pieces of wood wlterover he found them.—Mr F. 6. Gumming said that ho had known Fox for 16 years. Ho wins, a superannuated railway man, and there was no reason why ho should steal. Ho was in the habit of wandering about by himself, and apparently had not the faintest idea of what ho was doing. That Fox was not xdght was shown by the fact that ho did not know him (Mr Gumming) this morning, though they had been associated for many years. The eon-in-law asked him to \ assure the Bench that the old man would not be allowed to wander by himself any more. —His Worship said that he was sorry to have to record «. conviction, but in the circumstances it was necessary to retain a hold on the defendant in case the practice were continued. Ho would be ordered to come up for sentence when called on. Assault.—James Pynor was charged with, assaulting John Dodd at Port Chalmers on the 14th, February. Mr A. G. Neill for complainant and -Mr 0. J. L. White for defendant.—Complainant also asked that defendant be bound over to keep t he peace. —The evidence showed that the parties, who are waterside workers, were working on tho Berdun, and complainant was sweeping up, by order of tho foreman, when the defendant, who was under the influence of drink .asked what ho was doing, rolled up his sleeves, threatened him with his fist, and used foul language. —His Worship found that thero was an assault, and he fined Pynor 20a, with lls Costs. There was not sufficient in the evidence to warrant tho Court in binding over tho defendant to keep the peace. Maintenance.—lda Muriel Edwards applied for a maintenance order against her husband, William Henry Edwards.—After hearing evidence His Worship said he could not make an order at present.