MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 March 1922, Page 7

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

TO-DAY’S CASES. Mr W. Meldrum, S.M., presided over a sitting of the Magistrate’s Court to-day. IN A BAI) WAY. A .second offender for drunkennegJames Irvine (lately “returned” from Roto s Roa) was in such a bad state that on the application of Senior Sergt. McCarthy his case was remanded for one week. A DOUBLE FRACTURE, I Garrett Cotter, who did not appear, was charged with entering a hotel during the currency of a prohibition order and with procuring liquor in defiance of the same order. He was convicted and discharged. AFTER HOURS. Two first offenders, charged with being illegally on licensed premises, were each convicted and ordered to pay 7s costs. A second offender was fined £l, with costs. EXPOSING LIQUOR. R. Russell, licensee of the Park Hotel, was charged with exposing liquor for sale at a time when the hotel was required by law to close. On the application of his Counsel, Mr W. J. Joyce, the case was adjourned until Monday next, together with three charges against other men of being illegally on licensed premises, these charges arising out of the .caset UNUSUAL MAINTENANCE CASE. “There is a history behind this case,” Mr J, D. Hessell, outlining the claim of his client, Jean Stade, against Christopher Stade (Mr W. J. Joyce) for disobedience of a maintenance order and arrears amounting to £l7l. “It dates back,” he said, “to 1908.” In 1919 there were arrears and an order was made in. respect of them and Mr Hutchinson, S.M., the then Magistrate, sentenced defendant to six months’ imprisonment, in default of payment. Defendant was again in arrears and plaintiff sought an adjustment. Mr Melndoe, Clerk of the Court, gave details of the ease and of the payments made. Defendant had been imprisoned by default on one occasion, but was released on a payment being made by his employer. Mrs Stade had several times refused to sign applications for imprisonment when the defendant was in arrears. Christopher Stade, the defendant, said that he had been in ill health since ho met with an accident at the mines. His eyesight was badly impaired. He remembered the arrangements arrived at as the result of the conferences between both parties and former magistrates, and had abided by them as well as he could. He had been working for a Mr Cochrane, who arranged payments for him, but was discharged from that employment owing to his not being stron genough for the work. Since then he had been employed by 31 r Blackadder in the Inangahua district for £1 per week and keep, his work being to “potter about” the farm. “.Mr Blackadder had been away for about twelve months, 1 think?” asked Mr Hessell. “Yes, he was.” “And you looked after the farm?” “I did. I looked after the cattle and sheep.” “Well, seeing that you were veritably farm manager, don’t you think you were worth more than £1 a week?” “No,” said defendant. “I don’t think so.” “How long have you been there?” “Five years.” “Couldn’t you get a rise?” “No, I couldn’t.” “Have you ever asked?” “Yes, I have asked.” “Now, Mr Stade, is it not a fact that you are working for low wages to avoid payment of the order?” “No!” “Didn’t you offer to work for Cochrane for your keep only?” “No! I deny it!” Mr Joyce that he agreed with the other side that the case had a history. Away back in 1907 the parties were married, and lived together only for a few days. Although the defendant was a strong and healthy woman, since the order was made she had not done a stroke of work and was pestering the Magistrate continually with her applications. The defendant was in bad health and able to do only light work, but would consent to pay 12/- per week. Mr Hessell asked the lady to go into the box, in view of Mr Joyce’s “allegation” that she was strong and healthy. Mrs Stade, in the box, said that she was not strong and had an invalid brother who was practically incapacitated. She also had a baby to look after. “Is it your baby?” asked the Magistrate. “No —a Government baby!” “And how much a week do you get for this baby?” asked Mr Joyce. “Fifteen shillings.” “And I understand you applied for another?” “No. I did not! The one I have is a cross one, and it takes me all my time to look after it!” “Is it a fact that you have done nothing but walk about Greymouth since the order was made?” “I have not been able to work. “Y'et you do the housework for your brother and the baby ? “Yes. I might have done it for my husband if he had been man enough not to pitch me out!” “Oh, but I understand you got the best of that!” said Mr Joyce. “Didn’t it come out in the evidence that you smashed the furniture about and broke the bedroom crockery over Stade? “No. He’s a contemptible liar! I did nothing of the kind ! In reply to Mr Hessell, witness said she was not strong enough to work for herself, “although she couldn’t afford to run to the doctor every time she became sick. . Mr Meldruin said that Stacie was evidently in a permanent job, he was underpaid. He might get an increase of wages, and in that case Mrs Stade would be entitled to benefit by it. In the meantime, however, considering the evidence before him, he would make an order for 10/- per week, and for the payment of £lO of the arrears. i ■mi iiii ■iiEananM—nggo