POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 19787, 10 February 1928, Page 1

POLICE COURT

FRIDAY, February 10. (Before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.). A NON-WORKER. A young man named Alexander Robert Lee pleaded guilty to being deemed an idle and disorderly person in that ho was without lawful visible means of support. Sub-inspector Fahey said tho defendant was twenty years of age and lived with his widowed mother. For tho past five months he had done no work, and his mother did not see her way to support him any longer. Tho sub-inspector suggested that defendant be placed under some restraint. Defendant, who said lie was a moulders’ laborer, declared that be was unable to get work. He admitted being before the court recently on a charge of fighting. The Probation Officer (Mr J. Garbutt) said lie would do his best to get defendant some work, and the latter was convicted and placed on probation lor twelve months, during which period he would he under the control of tho probation officer and be prohibited. EVADING TRAIN FARE. Anthony George did not appear to answer a charge of having travelled by train between Dunedin and Wingatui on October 15 Thomas Hancock, railway employee, said that, acting finder instructions, he had watched a certain train at Wingatni on that date. Defendant and another man were seen to leave this train on the wrong side and proceed to the road. 'When they saw they were being approached they entered into conversation with a taxi driver, and when asked for their tickets they replied that they had come out by taxi. They threatened to cause trouble if the matter was persisted in, but eventually paid the fares, with 6d fine in each case, under protest. The Sub-inspector said that the second defendantwns away in Sydney, but would be summoned on his return. Constable Cooper gave evidence. Defendant, he said, was very impudent to the inspector, and both he and his companion gave wrong names and addresses. _ His "Worship said that defendant had aggravated his offence by his subsequent conduct. He would be fined 40s, with witnesses’s expenses (10s),. and court costs (10s),. CHARGE AGAINST MOTORIST DISMISSED.

A case of interest, to motorists was that in which Arthur Bond, who was represented by Air A. C. Hanlon, pleaded not guilty fq failing to remove hh motor car from where it was standing when he was requested by a constable at St. Kilda to do so on January 28. Constable Sliruffer said that on the day in question he informed tho defendant that private cars were not allowed to stand in Phmket street on race days, and requested him to move his car. Witness waited fifteen, minutes, and when he wont back defendant said he would not move his car a,s lie was waiting for ins passengers. Ho was near the entrance to the gates at Forbury. Defendant asked where ho should park, witness replying that that was not for liimifto say. Air Hanlon submitted that the case must bo dismissed, for, the defendant had not offended against tho essentials of the by-law. In such a ease it should liave been indicated to the defendant where ho should go, but this was not done by the constable hi question. It would bo unreasonable if motorists bad to luirry-skurry about at the beck and call of every policeman, Tho magistrate upheld Air Hanlon’s contention and dismissed the charge. AIOTORIST CHARGED.

Herbert Bourkc did not appear to answer charges of pillion riding and of being the iinliccnscd driver of a, inn ter cycle, Constable Williamson stating that defendant had paid no hoed to a caution that had boon given him previously. He had boon warned to get a license about six mouths ago. Dcefndant was fined 10s and costs on the charge of being the unlicensed driver of a motor car and convicted on the charge of pillion riding. Arthur Homer, who was Bourkc’s passenger ,011 the date in question, was lined 5s on a charge ot pillion riding. John Alexander Stewart Algio, who did not appear, was charged with dangcrous driving, Sub-inspector b;ilicy stating that defendant had travelled along Cargill road at thirty miles an hour at 8.00 a.m. in the day.—Defendant was fined 00s and costs. John Bruntoii (Mr J. I’. Ward) pleaded guilty to cutting a corner while driving a motor vehicle, Mr Ward stating that to avoid a motor cycle defendant had cut the corner sharply.— Defendant was lined IDs and costs. Motorists who were proceeded against for being in charge of motor vehicles at night without lights were dealt with as follow Ernest Kelson Diclham, convicted without penalty; Charles Fleming, George Jenkins, Leonard Mason, Russell Arthur Mathewson, Patrick T. Wales, ami Bonahl M'Dcrnnd. each lined ,5s and costs; Angus William M'Donald, fined 6s and costs on one charge and 5s on a second charge. Henry Louis Paterson (Air P. S. Anderson) mitered a lormal plea of not guiltv to a charge of lading to give an , intelligible signal ol his intention to turn, as an interpretation ol the hv-laws was de sired.-—Snh-inspcctor Fahey stated that defendant had driven his ear along Cra-vlnrd street and past Water street, and he had pulled in, intending to place liis car in the parking area. Another, ear coming behind did not notice defendant, and ran into him.—Mr Anderson said that defendant had intended, parking outside the theatre, and slowed up before turning into the parking area. He considered that the car following behind had plenty oi time to see nis movements, and did not bother to put out his hand. The other car tried to pass on the defendant’s right, with the result that both cars collided, little damage being done. According to measurements, when defendant turned the other car was 88ft behind.—The Magistrate said that in such - circumstances the by-law must he. construed in a reasonable m.ainur. There was no car immediately behind, and there- j fore- there was no need for the signal. ! The charge would be-dismissed. Alexander Haney ( Stewart pleaded guilty to failing to give the right of way to another vehicle crossing the intersection' of Aigyle street and Glen avenue, the case being dismissed subject to payment of costs. _ Thomas Morrison,' being the unlicensed driver of a motor car, was i fined 5s and costs. I

Albert Edward Hegar, for failing to keepas near as leasonahle to tlie lefthand side of the street while driving a motor car, was lined l(Js and costs. Rhodes Motors, Ltd , were charged with having failed to notify within seven days change in the ownership of a motor cycle.*—Edward Joshua Kerr gave formal evidence, and defendants were, fined 20s, with costs 13s. STONE THROUGH WINDOW. Muriel Logan failed to appear to answer a charge of wilfully breaking

a pane of glass valued at £l, the pro* perty of Edward M'Millan, on Jan* uary 14. _ ■ The Sub-inspector said that defendant had gone to the house of complainant, whom she suspected of telling some tales about her, and after knocking at the door had thrown a stone through the window. The damage had been made good. Defendant was fined 10s, with court costs I6s. LOITERING. Andrew Reid Paterson, who did not anpear, was charged, with loitering on the footpath at the corner of 'Rattray and Princes streets on January 20. Police evidence was given to the effect that defendant was standing on the footpatli between 6 and 7 p.m., and when first requested to move to the kerb had done so. Later, however, lie had refused to move, and had made a nuisance of himself. .When asked for his - name and address he refused his address until taken to the police station. He was a laborer. Defendant was fined 10s and cost#.