POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 22577, 19 February 1937, Page 11

POLICE COURT

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19. (Before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.) DRUNKENNESS. A statutory first offender, John Janies Jarvis, was fined 295, in default 48 hours’ imprisonment, CASE DISMISSED. Victor Joseph, for whom Mr B. S. Irwin appeared, pleaded not guilty to a charge of disorderly behaviour in Princes street. The police evidence was to the effect that the defendant was taking part in a general scuffle with others near an hotel. Defendant was not of the hoodlum class, said Mr Irwin. He had a successful school career. He was walking along the street with two of his fellow countrymen when they passed other men, who made a derogatory remark about their nationality. His companions turned on the other men, and Joseph tried to stop the scuffle. The magistrate dismissed the case. ON LICENSED PREMISES. Jack Horne was fined 10s and costs (10s) for being on licensed premises after hours. MILK BELOW STANDARD. John Richard Lockhart pleaded guilty to a charge of selling milk which was below the standard required by the regulations. After hearing the evidence the Magistrate said that the defendant claimed the milk in the bottom of the can was deficient in milk fat because it had not been mixed after previous customers had been supplied. It was Lockhart’s responsibility to see that every consumer received standard milk. Defendant was fined £3, costs (10s), and expenses (13s 2d). MOTORISTS’ OFFENCES. John Mayers Fraser, for failure to five way to traffic on the right, was ned 20s and costs (10s). William George Hewitt was fined 20s and costs (10s) for parking a motor car on the wrong side of the street. Thomas John Johnston was charged with failing to notify change of ownership of a motor car, and in conjunction with this Alfred Daniel Thomas was charged with having an unregistered motor car. Johnston was convicted and ordered to pay court costs (10s), and Thomas was fined 20s and costs (10s). Eric John Smart was charged with employing an unlicensed motor driver, and William Vernon Arthur was charged with being an unlicensed driver. The first defendant was fined 10s and costs (10s), and the other 20s and costs (10s). For running a motor truck not equipped with efficient brakes, the Tilbury Forwarding Company was fined 20s and costs (10s). For allowing motor cars to stand on the main street over the regulation time, Percy Alfred Smith and James Brown were each fined 10s and costs (10s). Thomas Longlands Mac Lean pleaded not guilty to a charge of failing to give way to traffic on the right. The defendant was represented by Mr E. J. Anderson. Evidence was heard, and the magistrate dismissed the charge. UNLIGHTED CYCLES. Stating that the amount of traffic on the roads at night made it dangerous for cyclists to ride without lights, the magistrate convicted and discharged

Douglas Anthony Withers and Gordon Hector Grimsdale, who were charged with riding unlighted cycles.INTOXICATED DRIVER. James Ivan Fitzgerald pleaded not guilty to’a charge of being intoxicated while in charge of a motor car, and guilty to being an unlicensed motor driver. Mr E. J, Anderson appeared for the defendant. John Campbell Williamson stated in evidence that on January 23 he found a truck capsized on the Logan Point road. Defendant had been driving, and witness considered he was intoxicated. He assisted 'to right the vehicle. William Hayward Thomson stated that he also helped to right the truck. He considered that Fitzgerald was “three sheets in the wind.” Detective J. C. Russell said he had received a complaint from a garage proprietor concerning a truck which was missing from the garage. Fitzgerald, who was employed by the complainant, was interviewed, and admitted having driven the truck out to go to a motorist who had telephoned for assistance. He had an accident on the way, and when he returned he drove the truck back to the garage. He, denied having had any drink. William Leslie Grove Erridge' said that the defendant was casually employed by him at his garage. Witness discovered that a truck was missing from the garage and notified the police, who found it in Bow Lane. Roy Ronald Stackhouse, a transport driver, said he saw the defendant between 10 and 10.30 p.m. on January 23. The defendant did not show any signs of intoxication. The defendant, in evidence, said he left the truck outside the garage when he returned after the accident. He denied having had any drink on January The defendant in his evidence said he had had no liquor., commented His Worship, who added that on the other hand two witnesses had given very definite evidence that he was under the influence of liquor. The defendant’s story of his doings was rather curious and involved, and his statements were contradictory. The magistrate said he was satisfied that Fitzgerald was intoxicated, and should not have been in charge of a motor vehicle. The defendant was convicted and remanded in custody for sentence on Monday.